HIV

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the final and most serious stage of HIV(human immunodeficiency virus) disease, which causes severe damage to the immune system. HIV is a retrovirus infecting T-helper cells bearing the CD4 receptors. The body can make more CD4 cells, but eventually HIV reduces the numbers of CD4 cells to such an extent that the immune system stops working.

Classification-  

1. Primary HIV
2. Early HIV
3. Advanced HIV

Causes—

• Diseases—The following diseases progress to HIV if left untreated/partially treated

1. Chlamydia
2. Genital herpes
3. Gonorrhea
4. Hepatitis
5. HPV
6. Tuberculosis

• Transmission By– 

1. sexual contact
2. sharing needles
3. infected mothers to their newborns (during pregnancy, delivery
   or breastfeeding)
4. accidental exposure(needle stick injuries)

Symptoms And Signs–

• Primary HIV infection

1. Fever
2. Fatigue
3. Sore throat
4. Tiredness
5. Joint pain
6. Muscle pain
7. Swollen glands (nodes)
8. Diffuse maculopapular rash

• Late Stage HIV

1. Fever of above 37c (100f) that lasts a number of weeks
2. Blurred vision
3. Dry cough
4. Night sweats
5. Persistent diarrhoea
6. Persistent tiredness
7. Shortness of breath
8. Swollen glands that last for more than three months
9. Unexplained weight loss
10. White spots on your tongue or mouth

Investigations—

1. CD4 Cell Count

This is less than 200 cells/ mm³

2. Viral load

It directly measures the amount of virus in the blood. Those people with high viral loads are more likely to experience a decline in CD4 cells and progression of disease than those with lower viral loads.

  Treatment—

Ayurveda Immunotherapy(strictly under Ayurveda expert guidance)

 Complications—

1. Chronic incurable systemic infections
2. Malignancies
3. Neurological diseases
4. Wasting
5. Malnutrition
6. Multisystem failure
7. Death

Prevention—

1. Do not use injected drugs.
2. Do not share needles or syringes(If IV’s are used at all)
3. Prevention Of Transmission From Mother To Child
4. Promotion Of Safe Sex
5. Screening Blood  Donors
6. Trials Of HIV Vaccines