Human Immunodeficiency Virus

: Admin : 2021-10-12

Viral infections are the most common cause of agony, misery responsible for malaise and death along with several other diseases caused by microorganisms. The human immunodeficiency virus infects the body's immune system – the white blood cells called the CD4 cells. HIV infection destroys the immunity of the person causing different infections by bacteria or fungi and may also lead to cancers. The patient infected with HIV through contaminated blood, semen or vaginal fluids during sexual transmission, gradually progress to a threatened weak, suppressed immune system which later develops into AIDS – Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome causing an untimely death.

There are 4 stages of HIV infection. A suppressed immunity with a destroyed defence system lacks the power to fight against any diseases. Patients infected with HIV develop symptoms according to the 4 stages classified during the spread of infection.

In stage 1, HIV virus starts to replicate in the host post infection. Headache, fever, sore throat and rash appear after few weeks in an infected HIV patient. The immune system initially reacts and responds by developing antibodies to fight viral infection.

During stage 2, HIV remains dormant where patients are asymptomatic. The immunity continues to weaken with death of white blood cells. Patient does not experience any signs or symptoms for a span of eight to ten years, is often unaware of this virus thriving within his body.

In stage 3, the HIV cells have destroyed the immune system to a considerable extent that symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, ulcers in mouth and diarrhoea are seen in patients. These emerge to give rise to opportunistic infections in the form of toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis and Kaposi sarcoma that harm patients life.

Stage 4 is the full blown AIDS – HIV infection has progressed to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, substantial decrease in CD4 count or white blood cells with several bacterial or opportunistic infections engulf to ruin immune system, that seek the advantage to destroy lives by killing normal healthy cells and tissues of the body.

Early diagnosis and medical intervention in the form of antiretroviral regime, decrease the progressive spread of disease and also prevent complications.