How does HIV infection manifest? The first symptoms of HIV infection: are they present and how to recognize them? Enlarged lymph nodes in HIV

What are the first signs of HIV in children and adults? What are the stages of HIV? What to do if you are diagnosed with HIV? How does HIV manifest itself in a general blood test?

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has always been considered one of the most complex and incurable diseases in the history of mankind. Today the situation is such that it is possible to live with HIV for a long time and unhindered, but only if the disease is diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. That is why it is very important to know the main symptoms of HIV and seek help from doctors in time.

The first early signs of HIV infection in women, men and children: stages

Stages of HIV

Throughout the entire period of studying this disease and the search for an antidote to it, the classification of the stages of HIV infection has repeatedly changed.

Today there are 5 stages of the HIV infection process:

1. The incubation stage is a period of the disease, the beginning of which is associated with the moment a person is infected with the virus, and the end with the time his immune system produces antibodies. The duration of this period directly depends on the patient’s immunity - as a rule, it ranges from 2 weeks to 3 months.
2. The stage of primary manifestations is the period of introduction, development and spread of HIV throughout the patient’s body. This stage can last from 2 weeks to a month and a half - most often its duration is a couple of weeks.
3. The latent (subclinical) stage is a period of asymptomatic fight of the immune system against the virus. This stage is the longest - it can last from 2 to 10-20 years.
4. The stage of secondary diseases (pre-AIDS) is a period when the immune system is already significantly undermined and destroyed - it does not have enough strength to cope with those infections to which the person previously had immunity.
5. Terminal stage (AIDS) is the last, final stage, characterized by irreversible processes in the human body. The outcome of this period is death.

The first early signs of HIV infection in women and men: symptoms, photos

First signs of HIV

The incubation stage of HIV is different in that it does not have any manifestations. During this period, any symptoms will be absent, until the onset of the second stage - primary manifestations.

The second stage of HIV is characterized by the human immune system producing antibodies to HIV and its fight against this virus. It is during this period that it is extremely important to record all possible manifestations of the infection and correctly identify it.

In turn, the second stage of HIV is divided into three more types:

1. Asymptomatic
2. Acute HIV infection without secondary diseases
3. Acute HIV infection with secondary diseases

As is clear from the name of the first type of stage, it is difficult to identify, since it is completely asymptomatic. HIV can be identified during this phase only by the presence of antibodies to the virus in the blood.

Early signs of acute HIV without secondary diseases

Acute HIV infection without secondary diseases, as a rule, has symptoms similar to common infectious diseases:

• lymphadenopathy
• prostration
• fast fatiguability
• chills
• sore throat
• headache
• aches and pain in muscles
• skin rashes
• rashes on mucous membranes
• diarrhea
• nausea
• vomit
• enlarged liver and spleen
• pharyngitis
• low-grade fever
• weight loss
• thrush

During the acute stage of HIV, most patients experience several of the listed symptoms at once.
Very often, such symptoms are attributed to a disease such as mononucleosis (rubella). The reason for this is mononuclear cells, which can be detected in the patient’s blood.

Signs of the acute stage of HIV with secondary diseases

Acute HIV infection with secondary diseases is often manifested by a number of the following diseases and conditions:

• angina
• pneumonia
• herpes
• fungal diseases
• psoriasis
• seborrheic dermatitis

Such diseases at this stage of HIV do not pose a particular danger to the patient, since they are still highly treatable.

The latent stage is characterized by gradual suppression of immunity. During this period, patients experience virtually no pathologies or manifestations. HIV can be detected at this stage only by detecting antibodies to the virus in the blood.

Signs of HIV at the stage of secondary diseases

The stage of secondary diseases occurs at a time when the body is almost completely exhausted and the immune system is significantly destroyed. At this stage of HIV infection, various opportunistic diseases can develop:

• fungal diseases
• viral diseases
• bacterial diseases
• shingles
• pharyngitis
• sinusitis
• prolonged diarrhea
• lingering fever
• tuberculosis
• hairy leukoplakia
• Kaposi's sarcoma
• CNS lesions
• oncological diseases

The terminal stage is characterized by the worsening of all existing diseases and the impotence of therapy. Having reached this stage, a person cannot count on recovery and life expectancy.

The first early signs of HIV infection in children

The first signs of HIV in children

In children infected in utero, HIV infection often develops much faster than in children infected after one year of age. Symptoms in such young patients appear already in the first 12 months of their life.

In many children, signs of the disease may not become apparent until they are 6-7, and sometimes even 10-12 years old.

Signs of HIV infection include:

• delay in physical development
• psychomotor development delay
• lymphadenopathy
• enlarged liver and spleen (myalgia)
• frequent acute respiratory infections
• problems with the gastrointestinal tract
• skin rashes
• CNS disorders
• cardiovascular failure
• encephalopathy
• anemia

How long does it take for the first signs of HIV to appear after infection in women, men and children?

When do the first symptoms of HIV begin to appear?

Very often, the onset of the disease in people of all genders and ages is completely asymptomatic, and sometimes its symptoms can be easily confused with other, less dangerous infectious diseases.

In other cases, the first signs of HIV infection may appear 2-6 months after infection. Such symptoms will indicate the onset of the acute phase of the disease.

External initial signs of illness in HIV-infected people in men, women, children: on the body, face, skin, tongue, lips, mouth

External manifestations of HIV

The most common sign of HIV infection in the body in a patient of any gender and age is enlarged lymph nodes. Moreover, as a rule, not one group of lymph nodes enlarges, but several at once - in the neck, in the groin, in the armpits, on the elbows. On palpation, such nodes do not hurt and have a normal color. Lymph nodes can enlarge from 2 to 6 cm.

As for rashes and neoplasms, which very often appear during HIV infection, they can be of the following nature:

• pink rash
• burgundy tumors
• candilomas
• papillomas
• herpes
• inflammation of the mucous membranes
• ulcers and erosions in the mouth
• inflammation in the vagina
• hives
• maculopapular rash
• seborrheic dermatitis
• rash with vascular changes
• pyodermatitis
• lichen
• psoriasis
• rubrophytia
• molluscum contagiosum
• hairy leukoplakia
• Kaposi's sarcoma

Signs of HIV - fever, herpes, rash: how to determine?

Herpes with HIV

The herpes virus infects 90% of the world's population. About 95% of those infected are unaware of the presence of this virus in their bodies, and only 5% of infected patients experience obvious symptoms - blistering formations on the skin of the face, genitals, and mucous membranes.

If the patient also has HIV infection in the body, the herpes virus can manifest itself as follows:

• Recur very often (several times in 3 months).
• Herpes begins to penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin.
• Places of formation of a vesicular rash degenerate into ulcers, erosions, and necrotic areas.
• With each subsequent relapse, herpes begins to affect more and more new areas.
• Rashes form on the surface of internal organs.
• In parallel with herpes, lymphadenopathy is observed.
• The rash is accompanied by severe pain.
• Antiherpes therapy becomes powerless.
• Herpes type 8 can degenerate into Kaposi's sarcoma - a malignant tumor that affects the epithelium, blood vessels, lymph nodes, and then all human organs and systems.

HIV rashes

Rashes, as signs of HIV infection in humans, can be of various types and nature:

1. Mycotic skin lesions are rashes and formations on the skin resulting from damage to the body by fungal formations.
2. Pyodermatitis is purulent skin lesions caused by the penetration of pyogenic cocci into it.
3. Spotted rash - formations characterized by a violation of the integrity of blood vessels (telangiectasia, hemorrhagic or erythematous spots).
4. Seborrheic dermatitis is a rash characterized by significant peeling of the surface.
5. Rashes caused by viruses.
6. Malignant formations (Kaposi's sarcoma, hairy leukoplakia).
7. Papular rash.

Temperature for HIV

As for the temperature during HIV infection, it can be completely different:

• In some patients with HIV, the temperature remains within normal limits until the manifestation of a primary or secondary disease.
• Most patients with HIV in the acute phase experience an increase in body temperature to 38, and sometimes up to 39 degrees.
• A temperature of 37 degrees that does not subside for more than one month should also be alarming.
• Some HIV patients may experience a very low temperature (from 35 to 36 degrees) - this may be a consequence of the body being exhausted in the fight against infection.

Signs of HIV in a general blood test: how to determine?

How to recognize HIV in a general blood test?

A general blood test does not identify the human immunodeficiency virus itself, but it can detect a number of changes in the body.

If a person has HIV infection, a general blood test can detect the following conditions:

• Lymphocytosis is an increased concentration of lymphocytes in the blood due to the strengthening of the immune system against HIV; characteristic of the early stage of the disease.
• Lymphopenia - a decrease in the level of T-lymphocytes in the blood due to weakening of the immune system in the process of fighting the virus; occurs at the end of the acute phase.
• Thrombocytopenia is a decrease in the level of platelets responsible for blood clotting.
• Neutropenia is a decrease in the concentration of neutrophils (granular leukocytes), which are responsible for the initial stage of the fight against pathogenic agents in the blood.
• Anemia is a decrease in hemoglobin levels.
• High ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
• Increased content of mononuclear cells (atypical cell forms).

Signs of HIV a month, six months, a year after infection in women, men and children: photos, description

How does HIV manifest itself at different time periods?

Most likely, a month after contracting HIV infection, a person will not notice any changes in his body. At this time, HIV will be going through its first stage (incubation), during which the body has not yet begun to fight the virus.

2-5 months after infection, the first symptoms of HIV may appear, the duration of which will be no more than 2 months.

During this time, a person may experience:

• swollen lymph nodes
• frequent ARVI
• inflammation of the tonsils
• prolonged increase in body temperature to 37.1-38 degrees
• fast fatiguability
• powerlessness and apathy
• weight loss
• insomnia
• profuse sweating during sleep
• headache

A couple of months after the start of the acute phase of HIV, the latent phase begins - the longest stage of HIV (from 2 to 20 years). During this period, it is very difficult to diagnose the disease, since it does not reveal itself in any way.

How is HIV different from AIDS?

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

• Many people confuse these two concepts and believe that we are talking about the same disease.
• In fact, there is a huge gap between HIV and AIDS, decades long.
• HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus.
• AIDS is human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
• AIDS is a consequence of advanced HIV infection - this is its last stage, the most difficult and lethal.
• With timely diagnosed and treated HIV infection, a person can live for decades.
• A patient with AIDS has only a few years to live, and then only in the absence of serious concomitant diseases.
• During the HIV infection stage, the immune system is just beginning to fight the virus.
• At the AIDS stage, the immune system is already in a destroyed state.
• With HIV, the body only needs support in the form of immunostimulants and virus blockers.
• With AIDS, the immune system requires maximum protection and prevention, as well as treatment of all complications and secondary diseases.
• All diseases at the HIV stage respond well to standard therapy.
• For AIDS, therapy is practically powerless.

Signs of HIV disease: what to do?

What to do if you are diagnosed with HIV?

• People who are stunned by an unexpected diagnosis of HIV infection can be advised not to panic.
• Modern drugs make it possible to completely control and contain the virus in the human body.
• After receiving a positive HIV test result, a person must contact a specialized AIDS center.
• Most likely, within the walls of this institution, the patient will undergo a number of additional tests, one of which will be a repeat HIV test.
• Additional tests are prescribed to identify other hidden complex infections and viruses that can harm the patient.
• If concomitant diseases are detected, most likely, a decision will be made to treat them immediately, and only then take on the virus itself.
• For a long period of time, foreign immunologists practiced late therapy for HIV infection.
• This was due to the need for patients to take rather toxic drugs at the same time every day.
• Over time, foreign doctors decided to abandon this practice.
• Today, in order to avoid the development of other complex concomitant diseases, antiretroviral therapy is prescribed from the first days of detection of the disease.
• In our country, unfortunately, the delay in prescribing ART is explained by other, mercantile reasons.
• The fact is that treatment of patients with HIV and AIDS in Russia is carried out at the expense of the state treasury.
• Thus, officials and the doctors under their control are trying to save money on HIV medications.
• The later ART is prescribed, the less money the country will spend.

HIV therapy

1. Elderly people (after 50 years).
2. Patients who wish to begin treatment immediately.
3. Patients with complex concomitant diseases (hepatitis B and C, kidney problems, mental development, cardiovascular diseases).
4. Women and couples planning pregnancy - the virus can be transmitted from mother to fetus through the placenta, breast milk, and during the birth canal.

Dear readers, if you have suddenly been given such a frightening diagnosis as HIV, do not despair. Timely diagnosis and treatment of HIV will allow you to live for many years with a dormant virus that cannot harm you or your loved ones.

Signs of HIV: Video

HIV Symptoms: Video

What to do if HIV is detected: Video

Most often, HIV infection is diagnosed only at the stage of secondary manifestations, when symptoms of trouble become obvious. Signs at the stage of primary manifestations are often blurred and disappear quickly. Infected people do not attach any importance to them. On the other hand, sometimes the cause of the initial symptoms cannot be identified.

Human immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus that causes HIV infection. Depending on the clinical signs of HIV infection, the following stages are distinguished:

• Incubation period.
• Primary manifestations:
  acute infection;
  asymptomatic infection;
  generalized lymphadenopathy.
• Secondary manifestations.
  damage to the skin and mucous membranes;
  persistent damage to internal organs;
  generalized diseases.
• Terminal stage.

The primary signs of HIV infection are the same in men and women. Only with the appearance of secondary symptoms does a diagnosis of HIV infection become suspected. At the stage of secondary manifestations, features of the course of the disease in people of different sexes are formed.

How long does it take for HIV to appear?

The very first symptoms of HIV infection, which often go unnoticed, appear between 4 months and 5 years after infection.
The first signs of secondary manifestations of HIV infection can occur anywhere from 5 months to many years after infection.

Incubation period

For some time after infection, the disease does not manifest itself in any way. This period is called incubation and lasts from 4 months to 5 years or more. At this time, the patient does not have any abnormalities in tests, including serological, hematological and immunological. A person is outwardly completely healthy, but he poses a danger as a source of infection to other people.

Some time after infection, the acute stage of the disease begins. At this stage, HIV infection can already be suspected based on certain clinical signs.

Acute infection

At the stage of acute HIV infection, the patient’s body temperature rises to febrile levels, and the tonsils and cervical lymph nodes enlarge. In general, this symptom complex resembles that of infectious mononucleosis.

The most common first manifestation of HIV infection is symptoms resembling. A person’s temperature rises to 38˚C or higher for no apparent reason, inflammation of the tonsils appears (), and the lymph nodes become inflamed (usually the cervical ones). The cause of the increase in temperature often cannot be determined; it does not decrease after taking antipyretics and antibiotics. At the same time, severe weakness and fatigue appear, mainly at night. The patient suffers from headache, loss of appetite, and disturbed sleep.

When examining the patient, one can determine the enlargement of the liver and, which is accompanied by complaints of heaviness in the hypochondrium, aching pain there. A small maculopapular rash appears on the skin in the form of small pale pink spots, sometimes merging into larger formations. A long-term intestinal disorder appears in the form.

In blood tests with this variant of the onset of the disease, an increased level of leukocytes, lymphocytes is determined, and atypical mononuclear cells are detected.

This variant of the first symptoms of HIV infection is observed in 30% of patients.

In other cases, acute infection may manifest as serous or encephalitis. These conditions are characterized by intense headache, often nausea and vomiting, and increased body temperature.

Sometimes the first symptom of HIV infection is inflammation of the esophagus - esophagitis, accompanied by chest pain and difficulty swallowing.
Other nonspecific symptoms of the disease, as well as an asymptomatic course, are also possible. The duration of this stage ranges from several days to 2 months, after which all signs of the disease disappear again. Antibodies to HIV may also not be detected at this stage.

Asymptomatic carrier stage

At this stage, there are no clinical signs of infection, but antibodies to HIV are already detected in the blood. If the damage to the immune system is minor, then this stage can last for many years. Within 5 years after infection, the following stages of HIV infection develop in only 20–30% of those infected. In some patients, the carrier stage, on the contrary, is very short (about a month).

Generalized lymphadenopathy

Generalized lymphadenopathy is an enlargement of the lymph nodes of two or more groups, not counting the inguinal ones. It may be the first symptom of HIV if the previous stages were erased.

Most often the cervical lymph nodes are affected, especially those located on the back of the neck. In addition, the lymph nodes above the collarbones, axillae, and in the elbow and popliteal fossae may become enlarged. The inguinal lymph nodes enlarge less frequently and later than the others.

Lymph nodes increase in size from 1 to 5 cm or more, they are mobile, painless, not fused to the skin. The surface of the skin over them is not changed.
At the same time, there are no other causes of enlarged lymph nodes (infectious diseases, medications), so such lymphadenopathy is sometimes mistakenly regarded as difficult to explain.

The stage of enlarged lymph nodes lasts 3 months or more. Gradually at this stage body weight begins to decrease.

Secondary manifestations

The occurrence of secondary manifestations may be the first sign of HIV infection, even if many years have passed since infection. The most common conditions that occur are:

1. Pneumocystis pneumonia.
   A person’s body temperature rises, a cough appears, first dry, and then with sputum. Arises and then at rest. The general condition worsens. Such pneumonia is difficult to treat with traditional antibiotics.
2. Kaposi's sarcoma.
   This is a tumor that develops from lymphatic vessels. It is more common in young men. Kaposi's sarcoma is externally manifested by the formation of many small cherry-colored tumors on the head, torso, limbs, and in the oral cavity.
3. Generalized infection (candidiasis,).
   Generalized infectious diseases occur more often in women. This is mainly due to the fact that HIV-infected women are most often prostitutes or promiscuous. At the same time, they very often become infected with vaginal candidiasis and herpes. The emergence of HIV infection leads to the spread and severe course of these diseases.
4. Damage to the nervous system, manifested primarily by memory loss. Subsequently, progressive development develops.

Features of the first signs of HIV infection in women

In women, symptoms of HIV include menstrual irregularities and genital diseases.

Women are much more likely than men to experience secondary manifestations such as herpes, cytomegalovirus infection and vaginal candidiasis, as well as candidal esophagitis.

In addition, at the stage of secondary manifestations, the first signs of the disease may be inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs, most often acute. Diseases of the cervix, such as carcinoma or dysplasia, may occur.

Features of HIV infection in children

Children infected with HIV in utero have peculiarities in the course of the disease. Children get sick in the first 4–6 months after birth. The main and early symptom of the disease is damage to the central nervous system. The child is lagging behind in weight, physical and mental development. He cannot sit and his speech is delayed. A child infected with HIV is susceptible to various purulent diseases and intestinal dysfunction.

Which doctor should I contact?

If you suspect HIV infection, you should contact an infectious disease specialist. The test can be taken anonymously at the AIDS Prevention and Control Center, which is located in every region. There, doctors also provide consultations on all issues related to HIV infection and AIDS. For secondary diseases, a pulmonologist (for pneumonia), a dermatologist (for Kaposi's sarcoma), a gynecologist (for diseases of the genital organs in women), a hepatologist (for often concomitant viral hepatitis), and a neurologist (for brain damage) are involved in the treatment. Infected children are seen not only by an infectious disease specialist, but also by a pediatrician.

HIV is an acronym that stands for human immunodeficiency virus, which attacks the human immune system, causing HIV infection.

The last stage of HIV infection is AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

HIV infection and AIDS: what is the fundamental difference between these two conditions?

HIV infection
Incurable infectious disease. It belongs to the group of slow viral infections with a long-term course that affects the immune system.

That is, the virus, having entered the body of a healthy person from a sick person, may not manifest itself in any way for many years.

However, HIV gradually destroys the cells of the immune system, which is designed to protect the human body from all kinds of infections and negative influences.
Therefore, over time, the immune system “loses its ground.”

AIDS
A condition in which the human immune system is practically unable to fight infections, resist the development of cancer cells and various harmful environmental factors. At this stage, any infection, even the most harmless one, can lead to the development of a serious illness, and subsequently the death of the patient from complications, encephalitis or a tumor.

Facts about the disease

Perhaps now there is not a single adult who has never heard of HIV infection. It’s not for nothing that it’s called the “plague of the 20th century.” And even in the 11th century, it moves forward by leaps and bounds, claiming about 5,000 human lives all over the world every day. Although, As a disease, HIV has a not so long history.

It is believed that HIV infection began its “triumphant march” across the planet back in the 70s of the last century, when the first mass cases of infection with symptoms similar to AIDS were described.

However, they started talking about HIV infection officially only in the early 80s of the last century:

• In 1981, two articles were published that described the development of an unusual pneumocystis pneumonia (caused by a yeast-like fungus) and Kaposi's sarcoma (a malignant skin tumor) in homosexual men.
• In July 1982, the term “AIDS” was coined to describe the new disease.
• The human immunodeficiency virus was discovered in 1983 simultaneously in two independent laboratories:
  • In France at the Institute. Louis Pasteur under the direction of Luc Montagnier
  • In the USA at the National Cancer Institute under the leadership of Gallo Robert
• In 1985, a technique was developed that determined the presence of antibodies to HIV in the blood of patients - an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
• In 1987, the first case of HIV infection in the USSR was diagnosed. The patient is a homosexual man who worked as a translator in African countries.
• In 1988, the World Health Organization declared International AIDS Day on December 1st.

A little history

Where did HIV come from? There is no clear answer to this question. However, there are several hypotheses.

The most common theory is that man became infected from a monkey. It is based on the fact that in apes (chimpanzees) living in Central Africa (Congo), a virus was isolated from the blood that can cause the development of AIDS in humans. It is likely that human infection occurred through accidental injury during butchering of a monkey carcass or a human being bitten by a monkey.

However, monkey HIV is a weak virus and the human body copes with it within one week. But for the virus to harm the immune system, it must be transmitted from one person to another within a short time. Then the virus mutates (changes), acquiring properties characteristic of human HIV.

There is also an assumption that HIV existed for a long time among the tribes of Central Africa. However, it was only with the onset of increased migration in the 20th century that the virus spread throughout the world.

Statistics

Every year, a huge number of people around the world become infected with HIV.

Number of HIV-infected people

• Worldwide as of 01/01/2013 amounted to 35.3 million people
• In Russia at the end of 2013 - about 780,000 people, with 51,190 thousand identified between 01/01/13 and 08/31/13
• By CIS countries(data as of the end of 2013):
  • Ukraine - about 350,000
  • Kazakhstan - about 16,000
  • Belarus - 15,711
  • Moldova - 7,800
  • Georgia - 4,094
  • Armenia - 3,500
  • Tajikistan - 4,700
  • Azerbaijan - 4,171
  • Kyrgyzstan - about 5,000
  • Turkmenistan - officials say HIV infection does not exist in the country
  • Uzbekistan - about 7,800

The given data does not fully characterize the actual statistics, since not everyone is tested for HIV. In fact, the numbers are much higher, which should undoubtedly alert governments of all countries and the WHO.

Mortality

Since the beginning of the epidemic, about 36 million people have died from AIDS. Moreover, the mortality rate of patients is decreasing year by year - thanks to successful highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART or ART).

Celebrities who died from AIDS

• Gia Carangi- American supermodel. She died in 1986. She suffered from a severe form of drug addiction.
• Freddie Mercury- lead singer of the legendary rock band Queen. Died in 1991.
• Michael Wastphal- famous tennis player. He died at the age of 26.
• Rudolf Nureyev- a legend of world ballet. Died in 1993.
• Ryan White- the first and most famous child with HIV infection. He suffered from hemophilia and contracted HIV through a blood transfusion at age 13. The boy, together with his mother, fought for the rights of HIV-infected people all his life. Ryan White died of AIDS in 1990 at the age of 18, but did not lose: he proved to the whole world that HIV-infected people do not pose a threat if basic precautions are taken, and have the right to an ordinary life.

The list is far from complete. The story continues...

AIDS virus

There is probably no other virus that is studied so thoroughly and at the same time remains a big mystery for scientists, claiming thousands of lives every year, including children. This is due to the fact that the human immunodeficiency virus changes very quickly: 1000 mutations per gene. Therefore, an effective drug against it has not yet been found and no vaccine has been developed. Whereas, for example, the influenza virus mutates 30 (!) less often.

In addition, there are several varieties of the virus itself.

HIV: structure

There are two main types of HIV:

• HIV-1or HIV-1(discovered in 1983) is the main causative agent of infection. It is very aggressive, causing typical manifestations of the disease. Most often found in Western Europe and Asia, South and North America, Central Africa.

• HIV-2 or HIV-2(discovered in 1986) is a less aggressive analogue of HIV-1, so the disease is milder. Not so widespread: found in western Africa, Germany, France, Portugal.

There is HIV-3 and HIV-4, but they are rare.

Structure

HIV- a spherical (spherical) particle having a size from 100 to 120 nanometers. The virus shell is dense, formed by a double lipid (fat-like substance) layer with “spikes”, and under it is a protein layer (p-24 capsid).

Under the capsule are:

• two strands of viral RNA (ribonucleic acid) - a carrier of genetic information
• viral enzymes: protease, intergrase and transcriptase
• p7 protein

HIV belongs to the family of slow (lentiviruses) retroviruses. It does not have a cellular structure, does not synthesize protein on its own, and reproduces only in the cells of the human body.

The most important feature of retroviruses is the presence of a special enzyme: reverse transcriptase. Thanks to this enzyme, the virus converts its RNA into DNA (a molecule that ensures the storage and transmission of genetic information to subsequent generations), which it then introduces into the host cells.

HIV: properties

HIV is not stable in the external environment:

• quickly dies under the influence of a 5% solution of hydrogen peroxide, ether, chloramine solution, 70 0 C alcohol, acetone
• outside the body in the open air dies within a few minutes
• at +56 0 C - 30 minutes
• when boiling - instantly

However, the virus remains viable for 4-6 days in a dried state at a temperature of + 22 0 C, in a heroin solution for up to 21 days, in a needle cavity for several days. HIV is resistant to freezing and is not affected by ionizing or ultraviolet radiation.

HIV: features of the life cycle

HIV has a special affinity (prefers) for certain cells of the immune system - helper T-lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, as well as cells of the nervous system, in the membrane of which there are special receptors - CD4 cells. However, there is an assumption that HIV also infects other cells.

What are the cells of the immune system responsible for?

T lymphocytes-helpers activate the work of almost all cells of the immune system, and also produce special substances that fight foreign agents: viruses, microbes, fungi, allergens. That is, in fact, they control the functioning of almost the entire immune system.

Monocytes and macrophages - cells that absorb foreign particles, viruses and microbes, digesting them.

The HIV life cycle includes several phases

Let's look at them using the example of a helper T lymphocyte:

• Once in the body, the virus binds to special receptors on the surface of the T-lymphocyte - CD4 cells. Next, it penetrates the host cell and sheds the outer membrane.

• Using reverse transcriptase a DNA copy (one chain) is synthesized on the viral RNA (template). The copy is then completed into double-stranded DNA.
• Double-stranded DNA moves into the T-lymphocyte nucleus, where it is integrated into the DNA of the host cell. At this stage, the active enzyme is integrase.
• The DNA copy remains in the host cell from several months to several years, “sleeping,” so to speak. At this stage, the presence of the virus in the human body can be detected using tests with specific antibodies.
• Any secondary infection provokes the transfer of information from the DNA copy to the template (viral) RNA, which leads to further replication of the virus.
• Next, the host cell's ribosomes (protein-producing particles) synthesize viral proteins on the viral RNA.
• Then from viral RNA and newly synthesized viral proteins assembly of new parts of viruses occurs, which leave the cell, destroying it.
• New viruses attach to receptors on the surface of other T lymphocytes - and the cycle begins again.

Thus, if no treatment is given, HIV reproduces itself quite quickly: from 10 to 100 billion new viruses per day.

General diagram of the division of HIV along with a photograph taken under an electron microscope.

HIV infection

Gone are the days when it was believed that HIV infection was a disease that only affected drug addicts, sex workers and homosexuals.

Anyone can become infected, regardless of social status, financial income, gender, age and sexual orientation. The source of infection is an HIV-infected person at any stage of the infectious process.

HIV doesn't just fly through the air. It is found in biological fluids of the body: blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid. For infection, an infectious dose of about 10,000 viral particles must enter the bloodstream.

Routes of transmission of HIV infection

1. Heterosexual contacts- unprotected vaginal sex.

The most common route of HIV transmission in the world is about 70-80% of infections, in Russia - 40.3%.

The risk of infection after one sexual contact with ejaculation ranges from 0.1 to 0.32% for the passive partner (the “receiving” side), and 0.01-0.1% for the active partner (the “introducing” side).

However, infection can occur after one sexual contact if there is any other sexually transmitted disease (STD): syphilis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and others. Since the number of T-helper lymphocytes and other cells of the immune system increases in the inflammatory focus. And then HIV “enters the human body on a white horse.”

In addition, with all STDs, the mucous membrane is prone to injury, so its integrity is often compromised: cracks, ulcers, and erosions appear. As a result, infection occurs much faster.

The likelihood of infection increases with prolonged sexual intercourse: if the husband is sick, then within three years in 45-50% of cases the wife becomes infected, if the wife is sick - in 35-45% of the cases the husband becomes infected. A woman’s risk of infection is higher because a large amount of infected sperm enters the vagina, it stays in contact with the mucous membrane for longer, and the contact area is larger.

1. Intravenous drug use

In the world, 5-10% of patients are infected this way, in Russia - 57.9%.

Since drug addicts often use shared non-sterile medical syringes or shared containers for preparing the solution when administering drugs intravenously. The probability of infection is 30-35%.

In addition, drug addicts often engage in promiscuous sex, which several times increases the likelihood of infection for both themselves and others.

1. Unprotected anal sex regardless of sexual orientation

The probability of infecting a passive partner after one sexual contact with fellation ranges from 0.8 to 3.2%, and an active partner - 0.06%. The risk of infection is higher since the rectal mucosa is vulnerable and well supplied with blood.

1. Unprotected oral sex

The probability of infection is lower: for a passive partner after one contact with ejaculation no more than 0.03-0.04%, for an active partner - almost zero.

However, the risk of infection increases if there are jams in the corners of the mouth, and wounds and ulcers in the cavity.

1. Children born from HIV-infected mothers

They become infected in 25-35% of cases through a defective placenta, at the time of birth, or during breastfeeding.

It is possible for a healthy mother to become infected when breastfeeding a sick child, if the woman has cracked nipples and the baby’s gums bleed.

1. Accidental injuries with medical instruments, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections

Infection occurs in 0.2-1% of cases if there was contact with the biological fluid of an HIV-infected person.

1. Blood transfusion and organ transplantation

Infection - in 100% of cases if the donor was HIV-positive.

On a note

The likelihood of infection depends on the initial state of the person’s immune system: the weaker it is, the faster infection occurs, and the more severe the disease. In addition, it matters what the viral load of an HIV-infected person is; if it is high, then the risk of infection increases several times.

Diagnosis of HIV infection

It is quite complex because its symptoms appear a long time after infection and are similar to other diseases. That's why The main method of early diagnosis is testing for HIV infection.

Methods for diagnosing HIV infection

They were developed a long time ago and are constantly being improved, reducing the risk of both false negative and false positive results to a minimum. Most often Blood is used for diagnosis. However, there are test systems for detecting HIV in saliva (scraping from the oral mucosa) and in urine, but they have not yet found widespread use.

Available three main stages of diagnosis HIV infections in adults:

1. Preliminary- screening (sorting), which serves to select presumably infected individuals
2. Referential

1. Confirming- expert

The need for several stages is due to the fact that the more complex the method, the more expensive and labor-intensive it is.

Some concepts in the context of diagnosing HIV infection:

• Antigen- the virus itself or its particles (proteins, fats, enzymes, capsule particles, and so on).
• Antibody- cells produced by the immune system in response to HIV entering the body.
• Seroconversion- immune response. Once in the body, HIV multiplies rapidly. In response, the immune system begins to produce antibodies, the concentration of which increases over the next few weeks. And only when their number reaches a certain level (seroconversion), they are detected by special test systems. Then the level of the virus drops, and the immune system calms down.
• "Window period"- the interval from the moment of infection to the appearance of seroconversion (on average 6-12 weeks). This is the most dangerous period, since the risk of HIV transmission is high, and the test system gives a false negative result

Screening stage

Definition total antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . It is usually informative 3-6 months after infection. However, sometimes it detects antibodies a little earlier: three to five weeks after dangerous contact.

It is preferable to use fourth generation test systems. They have one feature - in addition to antibodies, they also detect the HIV antigen - p-24-Capsid, which makes it possible to identify the virus even before the development of a sufficient level of antibodies, reducing the “window period”.

However, in most countries, outdated third or even second generation test systems (only detect antibodies) are still used, because they are cheaper.

However, they are more often give false positive results: if there is an infectious disease during pregnancy, autoimmune processes (rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis), the presence of the Epstein-Bar virus in the body and some other diseases.

If the ELISA result is positive, then the diagnosis of HIV infection is not made, but proceeds to the next stage of diagnosis.

Reference stage

It is carried out with more sensitive test systems 2-3 times. In case of two positive results, proceed to the third stage.

Expert stage - immunoblotting

A method in which antibodies to individual HIV proteins are determined.

Consists of several stages:

• HIV is broken down into antigens using electrophoresis.
• using the blotting method (in a special chamber), they are transferred to special strips on which proteins characteristic of HIV are already applied.
• The patient's blood is applied to the strips; if it contains antibodies to the antigens, a reaction occurs that is visible on the test strips.

However, the result may be false negative, since there are sometimes not enough antibodies in the blood - during the “window period” or in the terminal stages of AIDS.

Therefore there are two options for conducting the expert stage laboratory diagnosis of HIV infection:

First option	Second option

Available another sensitive diagnostic method HIV infection - polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - determination of DNA and RNA of the virus. However, it has a significant drawback - a high percentage of false positive results. Therefore, it is used in combination with other methods.

Diagnosis in children born from HIV-infected mothers

It has its own characteristics, since maternal antibodies to HIV may be present in the child’s blood, which penetrate the placenta. They are present from the moment of birth, remaining until 15-18 months of life. However, the absence of antibodies does not indicate that the child is not infected.

Diagnostic tactics

• up to 1 month - PCR, since the virus does not multiply intensively during this period
• older than a month - determination of p24-Capsid antigen
• laboratory diagnostic examination and observation from birth to 36 months

Symptoms and signs of HIV in men and women

Diagnosis is difficult because the clinical manifestations are similar to those of other infections and diseases. In addition, HIV infection progresses differently in different people.

Stages of HIV infection

According to the Russian clinical classification of HIV infection (V.I. Pokrovsky)

HIV infection symptoms

• The first stage is incubation

  The virus is actively reproducing. Duration - from the moment of infection to 3-6 weeks (sometimes up to one year). In case of weakened immunity - up to two weeks.

  Symptoms
  None. You can be suspicious if there was a dangerous situation: unprotected casual sexual contact, blood transfusion, and so on. Test systems do not detect antibodies in the blood.

• The second stage - primary manifestations

  The body's immune response to the introduction, reproduction and massive spread of HIV. The first symptoms appear within the first three months after infection; they may precede seroconversion. Duration is usually 2-3 weeks (rarely several months).

  Flow options

• 2A - Asymptomatic There are no manifestations of the disease. There is only the production of antibodies.

• 2B - Acute infection without secondary diseases It is observed in 15-30% of patients. It occurs as an acute viral infection or infectious mononucleosis.

Most common symptoms

• Increased body temperature 38.8C and above is a response to the introduction of the virus. The body begins to produce an active biological substance - interlekin, which “gives a signal” to the hypothalamus (located in the brain) that there is a “stranger” in the body. Therefore, energy production increases and heat transfer decreases.
• Enlarged lymph nodes- reaction of the immune system. In the lymph nodes, the production of antibodies by lymphocytes against HIV increases, which leads to working hypertrophy (increase in size) of the lymph nodes.
• Skin rashes in the form of red spots and compactions, small hemorrhages up to 10 mm in diameter, prone to merging with each other. The rash is located symmetrically, mainly on the skin of the torso, but sometimes on the face and neck. It is a consequence of direct damage by the virus to T-lymphocytes and macrophages in the skin, which leads to disruption of local immunity. Therefore, there is subsequently an increased susceptibility to various pathogens.
• Diarrhea(frequent loose stools) develops due to the direct effect of HIV on the intestinal mucosa, which causes changes in the local immune system and also impairs absorption.
• Sore throat(sore throat, pharyngitis) and oral cavity due to the fact that HIV affects the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, as well as lymphoid tissue (tonsils). As a result, swelling of the mucous membrane appears, the tonsils become enlarged, which causes a sore throat, painful swallowing and other symptoms characteristic of a viral infection.
• Enlarged liver and spleen associated with the reaction of the immune system to the introduction of HIV into the body.
• Sometimes autoimmune diseases develop(psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and others). The cause and mechanism of formation are not yet clear. However, most often these diseases occur in later stages.
• 2B - Acute infection with secondary diseases

  It is observed in 50-90% of patients. It occurs against the background of a temporary decrease in CD4 lymphocytes, so the immune system is weakened and cannot fully resist “strangers.”

  Secondary diseases occur caused by microbes, fungi, viruses: candidiasis, herpes, respiratory tract infections, stomatitis, dermatitis, sore throat and others. As a rule, they respond well to treatment. Then the state of the immune system stabilizes, and the disease moves to the next stage.

• The third stage is long-term widespread enlargement of the lymph nodes

  Duration - from 2 to 15-20 years, since the immune system inhibits the reproduction of the virus. During this period, the level of CD4 lymphocytes gradually decreases: at approximately a rate of 0.05-0.07x109/l per year.

  There is only an increase in at least two groups of lymph nodes (LNs) that are not connected to each other for three months, with the exception of the inguinal ones. The size of the lymph nodes in adults is more than 1 cm, in children - more than 0.5 cm. They are painless and elastic. Gradually, the lymph nodes decrease in size, remaining in this state for a long time. But sometimes they can increase again and then decrease - and so on for several years.

• Stage four - secondary diseases (pre-AIDS)

  Develops when the immune system is depleted: the level of CD4 lymphocytes, macrophages, and other cells of the immune system drops significantly.

  Therefore, HIV, having practically no response from the immune system, begins to multiply intensively. It affects more and more healthy cells, leading to the development of tumors and severe infectious diseases - opurtonic infections (the body can easily cope with them under normal conditions). Some of them occur only in HIV-infected people, and some - in ordinary people, only in HIV-positive people they are much more severe.

  The disease can be suspected if there are at least 2-3 diseases or conditions listed at each stage.

  Has three stages

  1. 4A. Develops 6-10 years after infection with a CD4 lymphocyte level of 350-500 CD4/mm3 (in healthy people it ranges from 600-1900CD4/mm3).
     • Losing body weight up to 10% of initial weight in less than 6 months. The reason is that the viral proteins invade the body’s cells, suppressing protein synthesis in them. Therefore, the patient literally “dries out before our eyes,” and the absorption of nutrients in the intestines is also impaired.
     • Repeated damage to the skin and mucous membranes by bacteria (ulcers, boils), fungi (candidiasis, lichen), viruses (herpes zoster)
     • Pharyngitis and sinusitis (more than three times a year).

The diseases are treatable, but require longer-term medication.

1. 4B. Occurs 7-10 years after infection with a CD4 lymphocyte level of 350-200 CD4/mm3.

   Characterized by diseases and conditions:

   • Loss of body weight more than 10% in 6 months. There is weakness.
   • Increase in body temperature to 38.0-38.5 0 C for more than 1 month.
   • Chronic diarrhea (diarrhea) for more than 1 month develops as a result of both direct damage to the intestinal mucosa by the virus and the addition of a secondary infection, usually mixed.
   • Leukoplakia is the growth of the papillary layer of the tongue: white thread-like formations appear on its lateral surface, sometimes on the mucous membrane of the cheeks. Its occurrence is a bad sign for the prognosis of the disease.
   • Deep lesions of the skin and mucous membranes (candidiasis, lichen simplex, molluscum contagiosum, rubrophytia, lichen versicolor and others) with a protracted course.
   • Repeated and persistent bacterial (tonsillitis, pneumonia), viral (cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Bar virus, herpes simplex virus) infections.
   • Repeated or widespread shingles caused by the varicella zoster virus.
   • Localized (non-spread) Kaposi's sarcoma is a malignant skin tumor that develops from the vessels of the lymphatic and circulatory system.
   • Pulmonary tuberculosis.

Without HAART, diseases are long-lasting and recurrent (symptoms return again).

1. 4B. Develops 10-12 years after infection when the CD4 lymphocyte level is less than 200 CD4/mm3. Life-threatening diseases arise.

   Characterized by diseases and conditions:

   • Extreme exhaustion, lack of appetite and severe weakness. Patients are forced to spend more than a month in bed.
   • Pneumocystis pneumonia (caused by a yeast-like fungus) is a marker of HIV infection.
   • Often recurrent herpes, manifested by non-healing erosions and ulcers on the mucous membranes.
   • Protozoal diseases: cryptosporidiosis and isosporosis (affect the intestines), toxoplasmosis (focal and diffuse brain lesions, pneumonia) - markers of HIV infection.
   • Candidiasis of the skin and internal organs: esophagus, respiratory tract, etc.
   • Extrapulmonary tuberculosis: bones, meninges, intestines and other organs.
   • Common Kaposi's sarcoma.
   • Mycobacterioses that affect the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system and other internal organs. Mycobacteria are present in water, soil, and dust. They cause disease only in HIV-infected people.
   • Cryptococcal meningitis is caused by a fungus that is present in the soil. It usually does not occur in a healthy body.
   • Diseases of the central nervous system: dementia, movement disorders, forgetfulness, decreased ability to concentrate, slowed thinking abilities, gait disturbance, personality changes, clumsiness in the hands. It develops both due to the direct impact of HIV on nerve cells for a long time, and as a result of complications that develop after illness.
   • Malignant tumors of any location.
   • Damage to the kidneys and heart caused by HIV infection.

All infections are severe and difficult to treat. However, the fourth stage is reversible spontaneously or due to ongoing HAART.

• Fifth stage - terminal

  Develops when the CD4 cell count is below 50-100 CD4/mm3. At this stage, all existing diseases progress; treatment of secondary infections is ineffective. The patient’s life depends on HAART, but, unfortunately, it, as well as the treatment of secondary diseases, are ineffective. Therefore, patients usually die within a few months.

  There is a classification of HIV infection according to WHO, but it is less structured, so mostly specialists prefer to work according to Pokrovsky’s classification.

Important!

The given data on the stages and their manifestations of HIV infection are averaged. Not all patients go through the stages sequentially, sometimes “skipping” through them or staying at a certain stage for a long time.

Therefore, the course of the disease can be quite long (up to 20 years) or short-lived (cases of fulminant course are known, when patients died within 7-9 months from the moment of infection). This is associated with the characteristics of the patient’s immune system (for example, some have few CD4 lymphocytes or initially reduced immunity), as well as the type of HIV.

HIV infection in men

The symptoms fit into the usual clinical picture, without any specific manifestations.

HIV infection in women

As a rule, they have menstrual irregularities (irregular periods with intermenstrual bleeding), and menstruation itself is painful.

Women have a slightly higher risk of developing malignant tumors on the cervix.

In addition, in them, inflammatory processes of the female genital organs occur more often (more than three times a year) than in healthy women, and are more severe.

HIV infection in children

The course does not differ from that of adults, but there is a difference - they lag somewhat behind their peers in physical and mental development.

Treatment of HIV infection

Unfortunately, there is no drug yet that can completely cure this disease. However, there are medications that significantly reduce the reproduction of the virus, prolonging the life of patients.

Moreover, these drugs are so effective that with proper treatment, CD4 cells grow, and HIV itself is difficult to detect in the body even with the most sensitive methods.

To achieve this you The patient must have self-discipline:

• taking medication at the same time
• compliance with dosage and diet
• continuity of treatment

Therefore, recently, patients with HIV infection are increasingly dying from diseases common to all people: heart disease, diabetes, and so on.

Main directions of treatment

• Prevent and delay the development of life-threatening conditions
• Ensure longer preservation of the quality of life of infected patients
• With the help of HAART and prevention of secondary diseases, achieve remission (absence of clinical symptoms)
• Emotional and practical support for patients
• Providing free drugs

Principles for prescribing HAART

First stage

No treatment is prescribed. However, if there was contact with an HIV-infected person, then chemoprophylaxis is recommended in the first three days after contact.

Second stage

2A. No treatment unless the CD4 count is less than 200 CD4/mm3

2B. Treatment is prescribed, but if the CD4 lymphocyte count is more than 350 CD4/mm3, it is withheld.

2B. Treatment is prescribed if the patient has manifestations characteristic of stage 4, but with the exception of cases when the level of CD4 lymphocytes is more than 350 CD4/mm3.

Third stage

HAART is prescribed if the CD4 lymphocyte count is less than 200 CD4/mm3, the HIV RNA level is more than 100,000 copies, or the patient actively wishes to begin therapy.

Fourth stage

Treatment is prescribed if the CD4 count is less than 350 CD4/mm3 or the HIV RNA number is more than 100,000 copies.

Fifth stage

Treatment is always prescribed.

On a note

HAART is prescribed to children regardless of the stage of the disease.

These are the existing standards for the treatment of HIV infection today. But recent studies have shown that starting HAART earlier produces better results. Therefore, it is likely that these recommendations will be revised soon.

Medicines used to treat HIV

• Nucleoside inhibitors of viral reverse transcriptase (Didanosine, Lamivudine, Zidovudine, Abacovir, Stavudine, Zalcitabine)
• Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Nevirapine, Ifavirenz, Delavirdine)
• Viral protease (enzyme) inhibitors (Saquinavir, Indinavir, Nelfinavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir)

When prescribing treatment, as a rule, several drugs are combined.

However, a new drug will soon hit the market - Quad, which promises to radically change the lives of people living with HIV. Because it works faster, it has fewer side effects. In addition, it solves the problem of HIV drug resistance. And patients will no longer have to swallow handfuls of pills. Because the new medicine combines the effects of several drugs to treat HIV infection, and is taken once a day.

Prevention of HIV infection

“It is easier to prevent any disease than to treat it later.”

There is probably not a person who disagrees with this statement. This also applies to HIV/AIDS. Therefore, most countries are implementing various programs to reduce the rate of spread of this infection.

However, we will talk about what everyone can do. After all, it doesn’t take much effort to protect yourself and your loved ones from this plague.

Preventing HIV/AIDS among people at increased risk

Heterosexual and homosexual contacts

• The surest way is to have one sexual partner whose HIV status is known.

• Engage in casual sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal) only using a condom. The most reliable are latex ones with standard lubricant.

However, even in this case there is no 100% guarantee, since the size of HIV is smaller than the pores of latex, which can let it through. In addition, with intense friction, the latex pores expand, allowing the virus to pass through more easily.

But the likelihood of infection is still reduced to almost zero if you use a condom correctly: you must put it on before sexual intercourse, make sure that there is no air left between the latex and the penis (there is a risk of rupture), and always use a condom in accordance with the size.

Almost all condoms made from other materials do not protect against HIV at all.

Intravenous drug use

Drug addiction and HIV often go hand in hand, so the most reliable way is to stop taking intravenous drugs.

However, if you still choose this path, you must take precautions:

• Individual and single use of sterile medical syringes
• Preparation of solution for injection in sterile individual containers

Pregnant woman infected with HIV It is better to determine your HIV status before pregnancy. If it is positive, the woman is examined and all the risks associated with pregnancy are explained (the likelihood of infection of the fetus, worsening of the disease in the mother, etc.). In the case when an HIV-infected woman nevertheless decides to become a mother, conception should be as safe as possible in order to reduce the risk of infection of the fetus:

• using a self-insemination kit (HIV-negative partner)

• sperm purification followed by insemination (both partners are HIV positive)

• in vitro fertilization

It is necessary to exclude factors that increase the permeability of the placenta to HIV: smoking, alcohol and drugs. It is important to treat STDs and chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, pyelonephritis, etc.), since they also increase the permeability of the placenta.

Taking medications:

• HAART (if necessary) for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes depending on the stage of pregnancy
• multivitamins
• iron supplements and others

In addition, a woman should protect herself as much as possible from possible other infectious diseases.

It is important to take all the necessary tests on time: determine the viral load, CD4 cell level, smears, and so on.

Medical staff

There is a risk of infection if the activity involves penetration through natural barriers (skin, mucous membranes) and manipulations during which they come into contact with biological fluids.

Prevention of infection

• use of protective equipment: glasses, gloves, mask and protective clothing

• promptly dispose of the used needle in a special puncture-proof container

• contact with HIV-infected biological fluid - chemoprophylaxis - taking complex HAART according to the regimen

• contact with a suspected infected body fluid:
  • skin injury (puncture or cut) - the bleeding does not need to be stopped for a few seconds, then treat the injury site with 700C alcohol

• contact with biological fluid on undamaged areas of the body - wash with running water and soap, then wipe with 700C alcohol

• contact with eyes - rinse with running water

• in the mouth - rinse with 700C alcohol

• on clothes - remove them and soak them in one of the disinfectants (chloramine and others), and wipe the skin underneath with 70% alcohol

• for shoes - wipe twice with a rag soaked in one of the disinfectant solutions

• on walls, floors, tiles - pour disinfectant solution for 30 minutes, then wipe

How is HIV transmitted?

A healthy person becomes infected from an HIV-infected person at any stage of the disease when an infectious dose enters the bloodstream.

Methods of transmission of the virus

• Unprotected sexual intercourse with an HIV-infected person (heterosexual and homosexual contacts). Most often - in people who are promiscuous. The risk increases with anal sex, regardless of sexual orientation.

• When using intravenous drugs: sharing a non-sterile syringe or container for preparing a solution with an HIV-infected person.

• From an HIV-infected woman to her child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

• When healthcare workers come into contact with contaminated biological fluid: contact with mucous membranes, injections or cuts.

• Blood transfusions or organ transplants from HIV-infected people. Of course, the donor organ or blood is tested before medical procedures. However, if it falls during the window period, the test produces a false negative result.

Where can you donate blood for HIV?

Thanks to special programs, as well as laws adopted to protect HIV-infected people, information is not disclosed or transferred to third parties. Therefore, there should be no fear of status disclosure or discrimination if the result is positive.

There are two types of free blood donation for HIV infection:

• Anonymous The person does not give his name, but is assigned a number by which you can find out the result (for many this is more comfortable).

• Confidential Laboratory staff become aware of the person's first and last name, but they maintain medical confidentiality.

Testing can be done:

• at any regional AIDS center

• in a city, regional or district clinic in anonymous and voluntary testing rooms, where blood is drawn to detect HIV infection.

In almost all of these institutions, a person who decides to find out his HIV status will be consulted both before and after testing, providing psychological assistance.

In addition, you can get tested at a private medical center, which is equipped with special equipment, but most likely for a fee.

Depending on the capabilities of the laboratory, the result can be obtained on the same day, after 2-3 days or after 2 weeks. Considering that testing is stressful for many people, it is better to clarify the timing in advance.

What should you do if you test positive for HIV?

Usually when you test positive for HIV infection doctor anonymously invites the patient to his place and explains:

• course of the disease itself

• what research still needs to be done?

• how to live with this diagnosis

• what treatment to take if necessary, and so on

However, if for some reason this does not happen, you need to consult an infectious disease doctor to the regional AIDS center or to a treatment and prevention facility at the place of residence.

Must be determined:

• CD4 cell level

• presence of viral hepatitis (B, C, D)

• in some cases, p-24-Capsid antigen

All other studies are carried out according to indications: detection of STDs, determination of general immune status, markers of malignant tumors, computed tomography, and so on.

How can you avoid becoming infected with HIV?

• when coughing or sneezing
• for insect or animal bites
• through shared tableware and cutlery
• during medical examinations
• when swimming in a pool or pond
• in the sauna, steam room
• through a handshake, hug and kiss
• when using a shared toilet
• in public places

Essentially, patients with HIV infection are less contagious than patients with viral hepatitis.

Who are HIV dissidents?

People who deny the existence of HIV infection.

Their beliefs are based on the following:

• HIV has not been identified clearly and indisputably

They say that no one has seen it under a microscope, and also that it has not been artificially cultivated outside the human body. All that has been isolated so far is a set of proteins, and there is no evidence that they belong to only one virus.

In fact, there are plenty of photographs taken under an electron microscope.

• Patients die faster when treated with antiviral drugs than from illness

  This is partly true, since the very first drugs did cause a large number of side effects. However, modern medicines are much more effective and safer. In addition, science does not stand still, inventing more effective and safe means.

• Considered a global conspiracy of pharmaceutical companies

  If this were so, then pharmaceutical companies would disseminate information not about the disease itself and its treatment, but about some kind of miracle vaccine, which, by the way, does not exist to this day.

• They say that AIDS is a disease of the immune system, not caused by a virus

  They say it is a consequence of immunodeficiency that developed as a result of stress, after strong radiation, exposure to poison or strong drugs, and some other reasons.

  Here we can contrast the fact that as soon as an HIV-infected patient starts taking HAART, his condition improves significantly.

  All these statements mislead patients, therefore they refuse treatment. Whereas, when started on time, HAART slows down the course of the disease, prolonging life and allowing HIV-infected people to be full-fledged members of society: to work, give birth to healthy children, live in a normal rhythm, and so on. Therefore, it is so important to detect HIV in time and, if necessary, begin HAART.

The immunodeficiency virus is a dangerous disease that has been rapidly spreading in recent years. Everyone should know the signs of HIV. At least in order to be able to see a doctor at an early stage and start treatment in a timely manner. The classification of this dangerous disease has several stages, each of which has characteristic symptoms. It is worth emphasizing that you should not make a terrible diagnosis for yourself based on the manifestations that will be listed below. Indeed, in some cases, they may indicate the presence of other diseases and pathologies in the body, or be the cause of weakened immunity. Signs of HIV infection can appear at all stages. There are five of them in total. We are talking about incubation, acute and latent periods, as well as the stages of secondary manifestations and the terminal stage. Each of them has its own symptoms.

Incubation period: signs of HIV, photo

There are no signs of AIDS during the incubation period. This stage begins from the moment of infection. It lasts on average two to four weeks. Sometimes this time can be extended to six months. It all depends on the characteristics of the human immune system. What happens to the body during the incubation period? The virus cells begin to actively multiply. At the same time, the immune system actively fights the spread of the virus. It begins to produce antibodies resistant to the virus. Their number increases almost proportionally with the growth of cells affected by the disease. This continues until the number of protective proteins increases to the limit. This is the moment when seroconversion begins. In other words, only from this period the test for the immunodeficiency virus becomes positive, and the signs of AIDS make themselves felt.

Despite the fact that the incubation period is asymptomatic, it is considered one of the most dangerous in terms of infecting other people. The fact is that an infected person not only has a large number of viral pathogens in his blood, but also in his secretory fluid. This indicates that any unprotected sexual contact in this case will result in guaranteed infection.

Signs of HIV disease begin to appear in the acute stage. Medical experts still cannot accurately determine its onset. After all, this disease can be diagnosed only from the moment it is detected in the blood. It is possible that part of the acute phase also occurs without obvious symptoms.

By the way, along with the fact that at the first stage there are no signs of HIV and AIDS, a blood test also does not reveal the presence of this pathogen in the blood. The most common mistake people make after unprotected contact is failure to get tested for the immunodeficiency virus in a timely manner. Medical experts recommend in this case to be checked no earlier than in a month.

Acute stage: signs of AIDS, photo

The acute stage of the immunodeficiency virus is “generous” for various kinds of manifestations. What happens to the body at this time? The number of T-hellers infected with a terrible disease is gradually increasing. This provokes the release of a large number of pathogens into the blood. The immune system is no longer able to cope with the virus. This leads to its weakening, and, as a consequence, to the manifestation of the first signs of an HIV-infected person.

It is important to know that the immunodeficiency virus can manifest itself in different ways. However, for almost all people, the main symptom of HIV is an increase in body temperature. Depending on the immune response to the pathogen, it may be small, but constant (does not exceed 38 degrees). Most often, the immune system of those infected is so weakened that the temperature rises from 38 to 40 degrees. At the initial stages, it is mistaken for manifestations of influenza or ARVI. However, with the immunodeficiency virus, the temperature lasts a long time (about two to three weeks). It is rarely possible to bring it down to normal using standard medications. At the same time, signs of a person suffering from AIDS and HIV, such as aching bones, severe weakness and apathy, are also observed. People who use hard drugs often confuse this condition with withdrawal symptoms.

In addition to fever, which is confused with seasonal viruses, other external signs of HIV may appear. We are talking about a rash that can be pronounced and spread throughout the body. In some cases, it is barely noticeable and localized in certain places, for example, on the face, hands, genitals and adjacent areas of the skin. These external signs of HIV infection can be an alarming signal for a dermatologist, to whom an infected person turns for help.

Primary signs of HIV infection also include enlargement of all lymph nodes. The lymphatic system reacts most acutely to weakened immunity, since they are closely interconnected. Lymph nodes with the immunodeficiency virus not only become enlarged, but also hurt. Sometimes they are not noticeable visually, but are easily palpable and cause special discomfort to the patient.

What signs of HIV in the acute stage can be in addition to the above? This is an upset stomach. Its characteristic feature is resistance to antidiarrheal drugs. The body does not react to them in any way and there is no improvement. By the way, diarrhea in an infected person can last for several weeks or even months. In this case, it is extremely important to maintain water-salt balance in order to avoid dehydration. Signs of AIDS or HIV related to the gastrointestinal tract may include nausea and abdominal pain.

It is worth noting that concomitant diseases against the background of weakened immunity can occur in patients already in the acute stage. It all depends on the degree of weakening of the immune system. What signs of HIV infection may appear in this case? Firstly, this is pneumonia. They can be infectious or bacterial in nature and have an atypical clinical picture. It is extremely difficult to cure prolonged pneumonia in this case. With improper care and therapy, it can result in pulmonary edema or death.

These are far from the only signs of the disease in AIDS in the second acute stage concerning the respiratory system. Often, already at this stage, tuberculosis appears in infected people. People with immunodeficiency syndrome are checked for the presence of this disease first.

External signs of AIDS in a person at this stage may include not only a rash, but also seborrheic dermatitis. Initially, this manifestation can be confused with dandruff, but gradually it spreads from the scalp to the face and body.

Latent stage: signs of HIV infection, photo

The latent stage of the immunodeficiency virus is considered asymptomatic. This period is the longest. It can range from two to twelve years in total. The latent period ends with the most dangerous terminal stage, in which the changes that have occurred in the body against the background of the ongoing virus and associated ailments are irreversible. There are no obvious signs of the HIV virus during this period, but it itself is easily detected in human blood. The immune system at the latent stage is able to produce the required amount of antibodies that protect the body. That is why there are no clinical signs of HIV infection at this stage.

Scientists believe that if a person begins to lead a healthy lifestyle during this period, eats right, and gives up all bad habits, then the signs of AIDS will subside for a long time. After all, these factors directly affect the state of the immune system.

Signs of HIV and AIDS in the secondary stage

The beginning of this period is marked by the fact that the number of T-hellers decreases almost to a critical level. In this regard, the immune system ceases to fully resist the virus and the affected body becomes the main target for concomitant diseases. Secondary signs of HIV in humans are manifested by the following concomitant diseases:

• Candidiasis and other fungal infections. They affect the oral cavity, genitals, and in severe cases can spread throughout the body.
• Shingles is also one of the symptoms of HIV-infected people. This disease at this stage is characterized by a high rate of spread and resistance to drug therapy.
• Damage to the central nervous system often occurs in the terminal stage. However, such a manifestation of secondary infection is also possible. Dementia, hydrocephalus and isolated muscle cuts are the latest signs of secondary stage AIDS. But the most dangerous of them is considered to be a disease such as Kaposi's Sarcoma. It is characterized by both external and internal manifestations. With this disease, the human body is affected by focal small neoplasms, which over time turn into ulcers. This pathology is dangerous because it can spread to brain tissue.
• Signs of the presence of HIV at this stage may be supplemented by herpetic rashes. The herpes virus is considered one of the most common diseases associated with immunodeficiency syndrome.

General clinical signs of HIV infection at the secondary stage can be supplemented by Pneumocystis manifestations. During this period, patients often develop pneumonia of bacterial and viral origin, which is difficult to treat.

Terminal stage: what are the signs of AIDS during this period?

The signs of an HIV-infected person at the last stage are most acute. They depend on what pathogen has entered the body, as well as on how severely the organs and tissues are affected. It is worth noting that regardless of what signs of AIDS are observed at this stage, a person’s immunity to this stage can be weakened by five times in comparison with the indicators characteristic of a healthy body. Therefore, there is practically no fight against the virus during this period.

Here are the signs of HIV infection that affects the human body at the terminal stage:

• Cytomegalovirus. This disease is characterized by symptoms such as retinal damage associated with brain disease and often resulting in loss of vision.
• Deep fungal infections. What signs of HIV are characteristic of this condition? These are non-healing ulcers and other types of skin lesions, which also spread to the mucous membranes of the mouth and larynx, leading to pneumonia, as well as the genitals.
• Tuberculosis. The exact signs of HIV infection and AIDS in tuberculosis are characterized by a rapid course. This applies to rapid weight loss, the presence of persistent low-grade fever, as well as damage not only to the lungs, but also to internal organs.

What other signs of HIV disease are characteristic of this stage? First of all, this is an enlargement of the lymph nodes. Moreover, it is so strong that it is noticeable visually. Often, a person develops toxoplasmosis in the terminal stage. It is characterized by extensive brain damage. What signs are observed in HIV-infected people with toxoplasmosis? This is incoherent speech or its loss, paresis of individual limbs or complete paralysis, inability to carry out familiar commands (write, read, think, eat food).

What else is important to know about immunodeficiency syndrome or 16 visual signs of HIV

Scientists from California have identified what signs of AIDS should raise suspicion in any person. There are sixteen of them in total. These are muscle pain, fever, fatigue, headache. Sounds like ARVI, doesn't it? But if such symptoms last for a long time, you should immediately contact a specialist. Gastrointestinal upset, skin rash, dry cough and weight loss. Taken together, these manifestations should also raise suspicion. Protracted pneumonia, severe sweating mainly at night, fungal infections, as well as changes in the shape and color of nails are serious reasons for concern. The last four unpleasant symptoms are herpes, menstrual irregularities, loss of concentration, numbness or tingling of the hands. What to do if a person notices at least five similar manifestations? You can, of course, watch videos showing signs of HIV and AIDS, but it is much better to consult a doctor immediately.

The rate of development of any disease depends on the number of infectious agents entering the body, the type of pathogen and the general health of the person at the time of infection.

HIV infection is most often diagnosed when clinical manifestations become apparent. Until manifestation, the disease is asymptomatic, and the viral presence in the blood is not detected.

There are 4 clinical stages of the disease:

• incubation period;
• stage of primary manifestations;
• stage of secondary diseases;
• end stage (or AIDS).

Let's look at the main symptoms and signs of each stage of HIV infection.

After infection with the immunodeficiency virus, changes in the human body begin to occur irreversibly. The number of viral particles in the blood gradually increases; they attach to the surface of immune cells and destroy them. The main feature of the period is that there are no clinical symptoms of the disease.

They begin to appear after an average of 12 weeks. However, this period can be much shorter - from 14 days, or can stretch for years.

During the incubation stage of HIV, there are no indicators of the presence of the virus in the blood. Antibodies to it have not yet been determined. As a result, the incubation period is usually called the “serological window.”

Can an HIV-infected person be externally different from a healthy person? No, he looks no different from other people. The problem is that minor signs indicating infection are not perceived by a person as a disease. Only if there are factors predisposing to infection (contact with an HIV-infected person, working in a medical clinic with contaminated biological material), symptoms can raise suspicion of HIV.

These include:

• subfebrile body temperature not exceeding 37.5°C;
• slight increase in different groups of lymph nodes;
• moderate muscle pain;
• weakness, apathy.

Such signs, when the cause of their occurrence is unclear, are an indication for diagnostic testing for HIV infection.

Despite the absence of hematological and clinical manifestations, the patient is dangerous to others during the incubation period. An infected person is already a source of infection, capable of transmitting the disease to other people.

Signs and symptoms in the stage of primary manifestations of HIV infection

The transition of the disease to the second stage is marked by the development of seroconversion. The process in which specific antibodies begin to be detected in the patient’s blood. From this point on, HIV infection can be diagnosed using serological methods for studying biological materials.

The stage of primary manifestations of HIV can occur in three forms independent of each other.

Asymptomatic phase

The period is characterized by a complete absence of clinical symptoms. The person considers himself absolutely healthy. The phase can last up to several years, but a rapid course is also possible, lasting no more than a month. Statistics show that if a person has an asymptomatic infection for a long time, then after 5 years, symptoms of immune deficiency (AIDS) begin to develop in only 30% of those infected.

Acute HIV infection

The manifestation of primary symptoms develops in 30% of infected people. The first obvious signs appear 1-3 months after the virus enters the human body.

Reminds the manifestations of infectious mononucleosis:

• increased body temperature to 37°C or higher, without visible signs of disease;
• hyperthermia is not eliminated by taking antipyretic drugs;
• signs of HIV infection appear in the oral cavity - sore throat, inflammation and enlargement of the tonsils (like a sore throat);
• taking antibacterial drugs does not bring success;
• enlargement and tenderness of the lymph nodes in the neck;
• an increase in the size of the liver and spleen;
• the appearance of diarrhea;
• insomnia, increased sweating at night;
• small spots of pale pink color may form on the skin - maculopapular rash;
• apathy, loss of appetite, headaches and weakness.

The stage occurs in the form of inflammation of the brain and its membranes (meningitis or encephalitis). Characteristic symptoms develop: severe headache, rise in body temperature to 40°C, nausea and vomiting.

Another option for the course of the acute phase is esophagitis - inflammation of the esophagus. The disease is accompanied by pain when swallowing and causeless pain in the chest.

In any of the listed cases, leukocytosis, lymphocytosis is detected in the patient’s blood, and atypical cells—mononuclear cells—appear.

Generalized lymphadenopathy

swollen lymph nodes

This phase is characterized by enlargement of the lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy is considered to be damage to more than two groups of lymph nodes, the exception of which is the inguinal ones. Most often, enlargement of the cervical and supraclavicular nodes occurs. They reach a diameter of up to 5 cm and become painful. It is noteworthy that the skin over them does not change, and they do not fuse with the subcutaneous tissue. These symptoms are often the first to appear in an HIV-infected person.

The average duration of this stage is 3 months. Towards the end, the patient develops cachexia (sharp causeless weight loss).

Signs and symptoms of the stage of secondary diseases of HIV infection

The third stage of the disease is characterized by persistent suppression of the human immune system. Features of the course of the disease in HIV-infected people during this period are changes in the blood: a decrease in the level of leukocytes, in particular, the number of T-lymphocytes decreases significantly.

At the third stage, symptoms characteristic of various visceral diseases (affecting internal organs) appear.

Kaposi's sarcoma

The disease is characterized by the formation of many cherry-colored spots and bumps up to 10 cm in diameter. They are localized on any part of the body: head, limbs, mucous membranes. In fact, these formations are tumors originating from the tissues of the lymphatic vessels.

The prognosis for life with this disease depends on the form of its course. In the acute course of the disease, people live an average of 2 years; in the chronic form, life expectancy reaches 10 years.

Pneumocystis pneumonia

With this type of pneumonia, the symptoms of the disease develop quickly. First, a high body temperature appears, which is not brought down by antipyretics. Then chest pain, cough (first dry, then with sputum), shortness of breath. The patient's condition rapidly deteriorates. Treatment with antibacterial drugs is ineffective.

Generalized infection

This form of secondary manifestations of HIV is most typical for women. Various infections in patients infected with a retrovirus acquire a generalized course, affecting the entire body as a whole.

Such diseases include:

• tuberculous lesions of various organs;
• fungal diseases – often candidiasis;
• cytomegalovirus infection, etc.

The course of the disease is extremely severe, affecting the respiratory system, digestive system, and brain. Characteristic for them is the development of sepsis.

Neurological symptoms of HIV infection

With this variant of the course, the brain is affected with depression of cognitive functions. Symptoms will be: memory loss, decreased concentration, absent-mindedness. An extreme manifestation of brain dysfunction is the development of progressive dementia.

The above diseases do not always develop with HIV, but their presence helps doctors identify the period of development of the disease.

Signs and symptoms of end-stage HIV infection

The last stage of HIV infection is called acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The symptoms of AIDS are the same in men and women.

Patients with AIDS have pronounced cachexia (emaciation), and even the simplest infectious and inflammatory diseases have a long and severe course. A characteristic feature is a significant increase in the size of the inguinal lymph nodes.

The last period, when HIV infection turns into AIDS, can be characterized by the following forms:

1. Pulmonary - develops and has a severe course.
2. Intestinal – associated with disturbances in the processes of digestion and absorption of nutrients. Characteristic features: diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss.
3. Neurological – severe meningitis and encephalitis, development of malignant neoplasms in the brain and spinal cord. It may manifest itself as epileptic seizures, the duration and frequency of which increase over time.
4. Mucocutaneous – symptoms appear on the skin, in the genital area. They look like ulcers, erosions, rashes. Often, ulcerations can grow into underlying tissues (muscles, bones). Small wounds, cuts, and scratches do not heal for a long time, which is an unfavorable prognostic sign.
5. Common – the most severe form of AIDS, in which all organs and systems are affected simultaneously. Death, as a rule, occurs in the first six months from severe renal failure.

AIDS progresses and develops very quickly. with the terminal stage of HIV infection does not exceed 2-3 years. However, timely antiretroviral therapy can sometimes delay death for a long period of time.