## HIV/AIDS: A Comprehensive Overview
### Introduction
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system, weakening its ability to fight infection. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection, in which the immune system is severely compromised, leaving the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain types of cancer.
### Symptoms
**Acute HIV infection (2-4 weeks after infection):**
* Fever
* Chills
* Muscle aches
* Joint pain
* Fatigue
* Lymph node swelling
* Sore throat
* Rash
**Chronic HIV infection (months to years after acute infection):**
* General malaise
* Enlarged lymph nodes
* Skin rashes
* Oral thrush
* Persistent cough
* Night sweats
* Weight loss
**AIDS:**
* Opportunistic infections, such as Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis
* Kaposi’s sarcoma, a type of cancer that causes lesions on the skin and internal organs
* Severe weight loss
* Mental impairment
### Diagnosis
HIV testing is recommended for anyone at risk of infection. Tests can be performed using:
* **Blood:** Antibody and antigen tests detect the presence of HIV in the bloodstream.
* **Lymph nodes:** Biopsy can identify swollen lymph nodes infected with HIV.
* **Spleen:** Ultrasound or CT scans can detect an enlarged spleen, a sign of HIV infection.
* **Thymus:** Imaging tests can visualize the thymus, which is typically smaller in people with HIV.
* **Bone marrow:** Bone marrow aspiration can reveal low levels of immune cells, indicating HIV infection.
### Prevention
Preventing HIV transmission involves:
* **Condom use:** Consistent condom use during sexual intercourse prevents the exchange of infected bodily fluids.
* **PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis):** Individuals at high risk of HIV infection can take PrEP medication to prevent acquiring the virus.
* **PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis):** Individuals who have been exposed to HIV, through needle sharing or accidental contact with infected blood, can take PEP medication to reduce the risk of infection.
* **Avoiding sharing needles:** Sharing needles to inject drugs can transmit HIV.
* **Limiting sexual partners:** Having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of exposure to HIV.
* **STI testing and treatment:** Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can increase the risk of HIV transmission and acquisition.
### Treatment
HIV treatment involves lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) to suppress the virus and prevent complications. ART regimens include combinations of medications from the following classes:
* **Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs):** Tenofovir, emtricitabine
* **Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs):** Efavirenz, rilpivirine
* **Protease inhibitors:** Darunavir, atazanavir
* **Integrase inhibitors:** Raltegravir, dolutegravir
* **Fusion inhibitors:** Enfuvirtide, maraviroc
* **Entry inhibitors:** Ibalizumab, cenicriviroc
### Complications
HIV infection can lead to various complications, including:
* **Opportunistic infections:** HIV weakens the immune system, making the body vulnerable to infections such as PCP, CMV retinitis, and cryptococcal meningitis.
* **Kaposi’s sarcoma:** This type of cancer causes lesions on the skin and internal organs.
* **Neurological complications:** HIV can affect the central nervous system, causing conditions such as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND).
* **Cardiovascular disease:** HIV has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
### Related Terms
**Stigma:** HIV/AIDS can evoke social stigma, leading to discrimination and isolation for affected individuals.
**Discrimination:** People with HIV/AIDS may face discrimination in healthcare, employment, and social settings.
**Prevention:** Various interventions aim to prevent HIV transmission, including educational campaigns, condom distribution, and the development of vaccines.
**Transmission:** HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, sharing needles, and from mother to child during childbirth, breastfeeding, or pregnancy.
**Cure:** Currently, there is no cure for HIV, but with effective treatment, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives.
**Research:** Ongoing research focuses on developing new treatments, a vaccine, and a cure for HIV/AIDS.
