WHAT IS AIDS(ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME)?

WHAT IS AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME)?

• AIDS is a viral disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and characterized by generalized dysfunction of the immune system.
• Which destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy.
• AIDS is the most advance stage of HIV.
• The syndrome is manifested clinically by opportunistic infection and unusual neoplasms.
• AIDS is considered as chronic illness.
• The disease has a long incubation period, sometimes 10 year or longer.
• Manifestations may not appear until late in the infection.

PROGRESSION TO AIDS FROM  HIV:

The risk of HIV progressing to AIDS varies widely between individuals and depends on many factors, including:

• The age of the individual.
• The body's ability to defend against HIV.
• Access to high quality, sanitary health care.
• The presence of other infections.
• The individual's genetic inheritance resistance to certain strain of HIV.
• Drug resistance strains of HIV.

SYMPTOMS OF AIDS:

• In the early stage, a short "flu-like" illness often described as "Worst Flu Ever" within few weeks after HIV infection.
• HIV is most contagious during first stage.

The initial symptoms of acute HIV infection may include:

• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Joint pain
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Fatigue 
• Muscle Aching
• Sore throat
• Red rash that doesn't itch. usually on the torso
• Fever

Second Stage of HIV- Asymptomatic Period:

• After the first stage, HIV continues and goes in to the second stage that is called as Asymptomatic Period (long period without any symptoms).
• In this stage, HIV infection produces at very low level, although it is still active.

Advanced and last stage of HIV- that is "AIDS":

• Encephalitis
• Meningitis
• Pneumonia
• Tuberculosis
• Tumors
• Esophagitis
• Chronic diarrhea

The last symptoms of AIDS may include:

• Cough and shortness of breath
• Soaking night sweats
• Seizures and lack of coordination
• Difficult or painful swallowing 
• Mental symptoms such as confusion and forgetfulness
• Severe and persistent diarrhea
• Extreme and unexplained tiredness
• Sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals
• Nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting
• Rapid weight loss and extreme fatigue'Severe headaches with neck stiffness

INTERVENTIONS:

• Provide respiratory support
• Administer oxygen and respiratory treatments as per need.
• Provide Psycho social support as needed.
• Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
• Monitor for signs of infection.
• Prevent the spread of infection.
• Initiates standard and other necessary precautions.
• Provide comfort as necessary.
• Provide meticulous skin care.
• Provide adequate nutritional support as needed.
• Teach methods of transmission of HIV as well as it's prevention.
• Teach the importance of using safe condoms if intercourse is planned.