What is included in HIV. Treatment of pulmonary manifestations

First time information about a disease called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , sounded in the eighties of the last century. At that time, specialists diagnosed a previously unknown disease. The person who contracted it suffered from a condition that previously only occurred in premature newborns. The studies revealed that in such patients the immune deficiency was not congenital, but acquired. That is why the disease is called acquired immune deficiency syndrome, abbreviated as . For the first time, symptoms of the disease were noted in several people from Sweden and the United States. And in 1983, scientists announced the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus.

From that time, the history of AIDS continues until today: at this stage we are already talking about an epidemic of this disease. Statistics show that there are currently approximately 50 million people living with AIDS in the world. Unfortunately, it doesn't exist now effective medicine from this dangerous disease. Therefore, the most important preventive measure is to educate the population about what AIDS is and what you need to know to prevent infection.

HIV infection and immunity

Initially, you should know about the differences between the main concepts associated with the disease: AIDS . So, HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus. It is he who becomes the causative agent of the disease, which doctors call HIV infection. The disease develops in stages, and the last of them is called AIDS.

HIV directly affects the immune system human body. Thanks to immunity, the body can resist substances and living organisms that carry foreign genetic information. During the functioning of the immune system, they are produced that fight ( foreign substances) and pathogens entering the body. The moment such substances enter the body, an immune response is activated, in which they take part. Initially, lymphocytes recognize pathogens, after which these blood cells block their effects and activate the production of antibodies.

HIV infection

HIV infection develops in humans as a consequence of HIV infection. Infection occurs when infected blood enters the bloodstream healthy person or during sexual intercourse. In the first case, the virus enters the body through injection with a non-sterile syringe, as well as during the transfusion of contaminated blood. If the infection process occurs as a result of sexual contact, then the penetration of the virus occurs through the mucous membranes of the genital organs, rectum, and in more rare cases - through the oral cavity. If a person has ulcers or wounds on the mucous membranes, then the risk of infection increases sharply.

HIV can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy in utero, as well as during birth process or already during breastfeeding baby . Therefore, HIV and pregnancy are a serious combination that requires constant medical supervision.

Currently, there are no other ways of contracting the infection.

In the case of unprotected oral sex, there is a certain risk of contracting the disease for the “receiving” partner, while the “introducing” partner cannot become infected, since only contact with saliva occurs. However, in this case we're talking about about a low average statistical risk, but not about complete safety.

During anal intercourse, the likelihood of transmitting the virus is higher, since the mucous membranes are often damaged.

Experts also warn that if condoms are used incorrectly during vaginal and anal intercourse, the risk of contracting the virus is very high. Infection is also more likely if a person has sexually transmitted diseases.

It is also important to understand that it is impossible to determine without appropriate tests whether a person is infected with HIV.

The infection does not occur in everyday life, since HIV exists outside the body for only a few minutes, after which it dies. But it is important to know that a live virus can exist in a used syringe for several days. The virus is not transmitted through physical contact - hugs, touches, handshakes. Undamaged skin are a barrier to transmission of the virus to humans. Theoretically, infection can only occur if, when touched by a sick person, the wound of a healthy person gets sufficient quantity infected blood. The virus cannot be transmitted through clothing, bedding, or household items. Infection does not occur when visiting a bathhouse or swimming pool, since when it gets into the water, the virus dies. In addition, the virus is not transmitted by insects or animal bites. Due to the low concentration of the virus in human saliva, infection does not occur during a kiss. During medical procedures, infection is impossible due to thorough sterilization of all instruments.

Thus, it is important to know that HIV only contains blood , sperm , vaginal discharge And breast milk . Therefore, contact with an infected person HIV person It is dangerous only during sexual intercourse, as well as during general drug use. Therefore, careful prevention is important. Every person should know how HIV is transmitted and how one can become infected with the disease in order to protect themselves and their loved ones as much as possible.

Development of HIV

HIV infection occurs in both men and women for many years, so the patient gradually adapts in his own way to how to live with the infection. In this case, a decrease in immunity occurs, progressing over time. This situation ultimately leads to the person showing signs of severe opportunistic And oncological diseases. Unfortunately, until today it is generally accepted that the main outcome of HIV infection is the death of the patient. However, when studying what HIV is and what its consequences are, it is important to understand that experts determine the presence of both less contagious strains of HIV and patients who have a high level of resistance.

Symptoms of HIV appear gradually, according to the periods of development of the disease. This happens in several stages. Initially, after infection occurs. Next, the first clinical manifestations of the disease appear, followed by latent period . After this, the infection enters the stage of development of secondary diseases. Last period – terminal . Regardless of whether a person exhibits visible symptoms HIV infection is contagious to surrounding people at all stages of the disease. But the highest chance of becoming infected is from a person in the acute period of the disease, as well as during the transition of HIV to the AIDS stage. It is during these periods that the virus actively multiplies in the human body.

The incubation period continues until the first clinical signs of the disease. U different people it will occur over different periods of time: from several weeks to one year. But on average, this period lasts about three months for a person. At this stage, a diagnosis can be made to the patient by detecting the virus, its genetic material or antigens during laboratory testing. Under the condition of the classic course of HIV infection after incubation period a period of acute primary infection begins.

Symptoms of HIV and AIDS

All stages of HIV have certain manifestations. The first clinical signs of HIV appear within one or two weeks in approximately half of patients. They are identical in both men and women. Such symptoms are reminiscent of signs: a person may have a fever, his lymph nodes become enlarged, constant fatigue appears, he is worried, etc. A person may also suffer from photophobia, in different places a rash appears on the body, a cough and runny nose bothers you. Such manifestations disappear on their own approximately 2-4 weeks after the onset. However, not all people infected with HIV know how the infection manifests itself during this period, since in some people it is completely asymptomatic. Another option is that a person simply does not pay attention to the erased signs of illness. After the symptoms subside, the latent period of the disease begins.

When the first manifestations of the disease subside, a period of stabilization follows. Living with HIV can last many years. According to doctors, the average life expectancy with the virus is 12 years. Speaking about how long people with HIV live, it should be noted that some infected people lived 20 years or more. However sometimes death occurred approximately one year after infection with the virus. At this stage of the disease, the only manifestation may be an increase in some. But in general, the patient’s general well-being remains quite satisfactory at this time. And often the infected person does not even know what HIV is or that he has become infected with this virus.

Further in the development of the disease there comes a period secondary diseases. The patient develops an immune deficiency. Its manifestations are expressed by the emergence of the so-called opportunistic diseases (we are talking about infections that cause severe consequences exclusively against the background of immunodeficiency).

AIDS is the most severe form of HIV infection. This stage can last from six months to two years. The disease occurs in different forms: pulmonary , intestinal , in the shape of disease affecting the skin , nervous system , mucous membranes . But in each of these cases, the mechanism of development of the disease remains the same: due to the fact that the AIDS virus has destroyed the immune system, the causative agents of other diseases present in the body are activated. Thus, a secondary infection develops, from which the person dies.

Most often the disease manifests itself in pulmonary form . With this development of the disease, signs of AIDS manifest themselves by the development pneumonia , which is much more serious than in an uninfected patient. HIV is diagnosed with a special Pneumocystis form of pneumonia. It also often develops intestinal form , the first manifestations of which are prolonged diarrhea, which lasts even for several months. As a consequence, the intestinal form of the disease, in both men and women, leads to significant loss of body weight, as well as dehydration. An analysis of the data available to doctors shows that diseases gastrointestinal tract in case of AIDS, they manifest themselves mainly under the influence of fungi of the genus Candida, salmonella, bacteria,. Speaking about how this form of the disease manifests itself, it should be noted that the symptoms in this case can be very diverse.

In approximately 20% of cases, the disease occurs as a secondary infection that affects the human nervous system. As a result, it develops brain abscesses , and in approximately 2% of cases the infection provokes a brain tumor . Symptoms of AIDS in this form appear on early stage illnesses with increased body temperature, decreased memory and intelligence. Gradually the patient becomes very lethargic and even lethargic. On late stages disease, the virus continues to multiply, which provokes brain atrophy . As a result, serious symptoms arise - personality disintegration, memory loss, epileptic seizures.

In approximately half of infected patients, the skin and mucous membranes are affected, where erosion . Later, multiple tumors and wall cancer appear on the skin blood vessels, fungal and viral infections. Such lesions are considered one of the most early signs AIDS.

HIV diagnosis

Many people are afraid to make the decision to get tested for HIV. However, if a person has the slightest suspicion of infection with the virus, a blood test must be taken immediately, since it is timely diagnosis can continue the patient's life. It is advisable to donate blood in a specialized center, where, if necessary, you can immediately receive express consultation from a specialist. However, it is not so important where exactly to get tested: the issue of immediate diagnosis is much more pressing.

A special HIV test is used to detect the virus in the human body. During such testing, it is possible to detect antibodies produced by the body as a response to a virus entering the body. There are several types of such tests, and a rapid test can theoretically be carried out even at home.

The first test to detect the virus is linked immunosorbent assay, which is considered the most common method of diagnosis. Using this research method, you can determine the presence of the virus within three months after infection. During this time, enough antibodies accumulate to detect infection. Carrying out such an analysis gives false result in 1% of cases. If you suspect a false negative or false positive result, you can repeat the test after another three months.

The second research option is to conduct so-called immune blotting, which allows you to detect specific antibodies to HIV. The results of this test can be positive, negative or inconclusive. If a questionable result is obtained, it may indicate the presence of HIV in a person’s blood, but the body has not yet had time to produce all the antibodies. In this case, it is necessary to observe a specialist and conduct a re-analysis after a certain period of time.

The third test performed is polymerase chain reaction. It allows you to detect RNA and DNA viruses. This test produces an effective and highly sensitive reaction that can detect the virus if the immunoblotting result is indeterminate. This test also makes it possible to detect the HIV status of newborns. Carrying out such a test makes it possible to detect the virus within 10 days after it enters the body. But at the same time, doctors take into account that such a high sensitivity of the test also gives a reaction to other infections. That's why false positive result quite common in this case. Therefore, a final diagnosis cannot be made using such a test alone. Carrying out such a test requires sophisticated equipment, as well as specially trained professionals. Due to the high cost of the analysis, it is not currently widely used.

It is also possible to determine the presence of infection using a rapid test, which is used in emergency situations. But the result obtained from such a study cannot be considered final. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct any other full-fledged test later.

The doctors

Treatment

To provide relatively effective treatment AIDS and HIV infection in patients, doctors take measures to suppress the activity of the virus. In addition, active resistance to emerging cancers and opportunistic infections that occur against the background of decreased immunity is practiced. In addition, the patient is prescribed a certain medicine for AIDS, the action of which is aimed at stimulating protective functions body. Unfortunately, until today it is effective vaccine against AIDS has not yet been developed. Therefore, doctors do everything possible to minimize the symptoms and improve the patient’s condition. Before prescribing any course of treatment, the diagnosis is initially confirmed and it is established what stage of the disease the patient has. The main indication for specific treatment is a decrease in indicators immune status, as well as the development of secondary diseases.

The most promising treatment for HIV and AIDS today is complex application antiviral drugs, which effectively suppress the replication of the virus, as well as immune stimulants to prevent rapidly developing immunodeficiency.

One of the main problems encountered in the treatment of HIV infection is the high level of toxicity that almost every HIV drug has. In addition, the virus very quickly adapts to almost any drug, so combination therapy is used in the treatment process. Since the vaccine that protects against the disease is still in the process of development, today antiviral treatment is actively used, in which 2-3 drugs are used at once to stop the replication of HIV.

Even if the patient is sure that he knows almost everything about AIDS, the most an important condition Successful treatment of the disease requires constant consultation with a specialist. Medicines prescribed by your doctor should be taken strictly according to your doctor’s recommendations. Only in this case the AIDS virus in the body is reduced to a minimum. In order to ensure control over the effectiveness of therapy, special tests are constantly carried out to determine the strength of the immune system and the amount of virus in the body.

Even though currently effective drugs there is no cure for HIV; according to statistics, about a third of people with HIV infection feel well and remain relatively healthy for 10 years.

But still, treatment at a certain time is necessary for almost all infected people. As AIDS progresses, there is no way to stop the process, but still the transition from HIV infection to AIDS occurs in different people over time. different period time. Today there is more than one myth about AIDS. But the thesis that the disease progresses much faster when using drugs is still true. The fact is that when narcotic substances regularly enter the body, the immune system is weakened, and when interacting antiviral drugs With narcotic substances Irreversible poisoning of the body may occur.

It is important to provide the patient not only with medication, but also with a favorable psychological environment. It is important for infected people to regularly communicate with both doctors and other patients. For people with HIV, it is easier to make acquaintances in their familiar environment, among similarly infected patients. The realities of today indicate that such patients often find like-minded people on the Internet: sometimes there is a forum or group for people with HIV social network is no less important support than consulting a doctor. In addition, such communication allows you to benefit from experience “ positive» patients.

Prevention

AIDS prevention still remains the most pressing issue almost all over the world. After all, in order to avoid infection, every person must clearly understand how it is transmitted. AIDS, and also realize that infection does not occur through ordinary household contacts. Scientists have finally determined which routes of transmission of the virus exist. That's why important point in the matter of prevention is a complete abstinence from drugs, as well as an orderly sex life. But even if sexual contacts occur with one regular partner, a condom is important additional measure security.

List of sources

• Pokrovsky V.V., Ermak T.N., Belyaeva V.V. HIV infection. Clinic, diagnosis, treatment. M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2003;
• Petryaeva M.V., Chernyakhovskaya M.Yu. Formalization of knowledge about HIV/AIDS infection. Part 1. Vladivostok: Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 2007;
• Monitoring and evaluation: guidelines/ ch. ed. T. Deshko. Int. HIV/AIDS Alliance. Kyiv. 2004;
• Bartlett J., Galant J. Clinical aspects of HIV infection. - M.: 2012;
• Hoffman K., Rokshtro Yu. K. Treatment of HIV infection. - M.: 2012.

Today, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and, in fact, (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), which is its terminal stage, have been studied quite well. Everyone is known for certain possible ways transmission of this infection, however, there are still many myths about how people get infected.

In this article, we will lift the veil of secrecy over this difficult disease, tell you how you actually get infected with it, and also pay attention to methods of preventing these conditions.

Methods of transmission of HIV infection

To date, it has been precisely established that there are only 3 ways of contracting HIV:

• sexual (any unprotected sexual contact);
• parenteral (through blood);
• vertical (the child becomes infected from a sick mother transplacentally, during childbirth or during breastfeeding).

Sexual route of HIV infection

Today, the main route of infection is sexual, although in the late 90s of the 20th century, when there was a surge in injection drug addiction in Russia, more than 70% of cases became infected parenterally through “dirty” syringes.

Infection occurs when unprotected contact with a sick person. The virus, in quantities sufficient for infection, is contained in the semen of men and in vaginal secretions and menstrual blood among women. Infection does not always occur; it is possible if there are wounds on the mucous membranes of the genital organs.

It should be borne in mind that there is a possibility of HIV infection through oral sex, and during anal sexual intercourse the risk of infection is greatest, since the mucous membrane of the rectum is very vulnerable and is easily injured, thereby creating an entrance gate for infection (this explains a large number of infected among homosexuals).

There are also a number of factors that increase the risk of infection:

If you have any sexually transmitted diseases (etc.), the risk of contracting HIV increases 3-5 times.

Women are infected 3 times more often than men. This is due to the fact that the area of ​​the mucous membrane through which the virus can enter the body is much larger than that of men. In addition, the concentration of the virus in semen is much higher than in vaginal secretions. The risk of infection for a woman increases if she has inflammatory diseases of the external genitalia, as well as during menstruation.

Presence in a woman increases the likelihood of infection for both women (a defect in the mucous membrane serves as an entry point for infection) and men.

Parenteral route of HIV transmission

Parenteral HIV infection most often occurs through “dirty” syringes among injection drug users. Infection can occur when the same syringe is used by several people, one of whom has AIDS. IN last decade the number of people infected in this way has decreased significantly, since disposable syringes are inexpensive and have become publicly available, as well as due to increased medical literacy of the population.

To date, there are practically no cases of infection in medical institutions during blood transfusions (blood transfusions), injections and surgical operations. To perform any injections today, only disposable syringes and systems are used, which after use are subject to disinfection and recycling. Donors, as well as donated blood and its components, are tested for HIV, and in case of invasive medical manipulations, whenever possible, use disposable medical instruments. Reusable tools go through several stages of processing.

Less than 0.5% HIV-infected people composed by health workers themselves. Infection can occur through an accidental needle stick, infected blood coming into contact with damaged skin or mucous membranes, or in the eyes.

Vertical route of HIV transmission

Many people are sure that a mother with HIV will always give birth to infected child, but this is not at all true. According to statistics, about 30% of children are infected transplacentally, during childbirth or during breastfeeding, that is, 70% of children born to infected mothers are absolutely healthy. However, a child is not diagnosed with HIV until the age of three, since during this time maternal antibodies to the virus remain in the child’s blood. If, according to the test results of a child at 3 years of age, the antibodies disappear, it means that he is healthy and has not been infected. If the body begins to produce its own antibodies to the virus, then the child is considered HIV positive.

The risk of infection of a child increases in cases where the mother has painful manifestations of HIV or AIDS, inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system, a high concentration of the virus is determined in the vaginal secretion, and with a low social status of the mother ( poor nutrition, violation of hygiene, refusal of medical care, etc.). In addition, premature and post-term babies are more likely to become infected with HIV, and the risk of infection also increases if complications arise during childbirth, especially in the second stage.

Prevention of infection with AIDS

The human immunodeficiency virus is found in all biological fluids, but its quantity sufficient for infection is determined only in blood, semen, vaginal secretions and mother's milk. Therefore, in order to avoid infection, you need to avoid contact with them. Moreover, it should be remembered that if the virus gets on intact skin and mucous membranes, infection is practically impossible.

It is possible to prevent HIV infection through sexual contact only with a barrier method of contraception, that is, use condoms, and they must be of high quality, and they must be used with every sexual contact. Spermicides, oral contraceptives, and other forms of contraception do not protect against transmission of infection. To date, it has been proven that the use of condoms is the only highly effective way to prevent AIDS.

To prevent infection parenterally disposable medical equipment is used (syringes, needles, droppers, etc.), and reusable instruments undergo careful multi-stage processing. In order to exclude infection during blood transfusion, the donors themselves, and then the donor blood, are checked. Medical staff and scientific workers working with human biological fluids must use personal protective equipment (gown, gloves, goggles).

In order to reduce the number of cases of intrauterine infection, certain preventive actions. It should be remembered that an infected woman has a high chance of giving birth healthy child Therefore, monitoring such women during pregnancy is especially careful. A preventive course of treatment is carried out for pregnant women; the therapy is aimed at protecting the fetus and does not affect the mother’s condition in any way. When undergoing such therapy, the risk of having a sick child is reduced by 70%.

In order to prevent infection of the child during childbirth, doctors most often perform C-section. Also, doctors strongly recommend that women infected with HIV stop breastfeeding in order to prevent the child from becoming infected through breast milk.

How not to get infected with AIDS

To date, no route of transmission of HIV infection has been established other than those listed above. Healthy, intact skin and mucous membranes are a reliable barrier that prevents the virus from entering the body. Therefore, you cannot become infected with AIDS by shaking hands or touching a sick person. The virus is not transmitted through kissing. Although the saliva of a sick person contains the virus, its amount is negligible and not enough for infection.

The household route of HIV infection is also completely excluded. The virus is unstable in external environment and dies very quickly, so you cannot become infected through dishes, hygiene items, and you should not be afraid to use a shared toilet, bathroom, etc. It is also absolutely safe from this point of view to visit public baths, saunas, swimming pools, since the virus does not survive in aquatic environment. The virus is never transmitted by blood-sucking insects.

It should also be noted that, during the HIV epidemic, not a single case of AIDS infection was registered in a dentist, through manicure tools and so on. The virus quickly dies even with the simplest disinfection.

As we can see, the risk of contracting AIDS for a healthy person who does not have casual sex is practically absent, so it is necessary to show tolerance towards HIV-infected people.

Statistics show that not everyone knows how HIV is transmitted from person to person. More than 30 years ago, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was isolated. This disease is considered, if not the most terrible, then one of them. In just over 30 years, this virus has spread across the entire planet, and there is practically not a single corner of the Earth where a case of HIV infection has not been recorded. Today, more than 40 million people are carriers of this virus, and its spread is not only not decreasing, but is also spreading at high speed.

All about HIV

Many people are mistaken when they consider HIV and AIDS to be the same disease. But the connection is still there. The immunodeficiency virus enters the body first. It can be present in the body for ten years without showing itself in any way. Under certain circumstances, a virus can provoke an HIV infection, and against the background of any disease, even a minor one, it can develop into AIDS. AIDS is a disease with a 100% fatal outcome.

HIV originally emerged in the countries of Central Africa, and there are hypotheses that this virus appeared a very long time ago, but was not known to doctors and scientists. In addition, some species of monkeys that lived on the same continent were carriers of this virus, and it is quite possible that humans were originally infected from monkeys. In the 20th century, the movement of people, including from Africa, became widespread, and therefore the virus spread beyond the African continent. IN modern history The first case of HIV infection was recorded in 1981, and since then this virus has been triumphantly sweeping the planet.

HIV is one of the so-called retro viruses that can live in the human body for at least 10 years without showing any symptoms. By at least, this happens in more than half of people infected with this virus. This means that for 10 years a person does not know about his illness, and can infect people in any number. Since the isolation of HIV separate disease Research is underway to find a cure for it. Alas, it has not yet been found. The virus enters the bloodstream and destroys healthy immune cells.

The body does not have the ability to fight this virus. For each HIV carrier, the period when almost all cells responsible for immunity are destroyed lasts a different time. It depends on many factors. For example, if a person did not have any serious illnesses before becoming infected, then we can assume that his immune system is in excellent condition. This means that HIV will not manifest itself soon. And vice versa, if a person is sick chronic diseases, or is at risk, then his immunity is already weakened, which means that the symptoms of the virus will appear much faster.

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Symptoms of HIV

Experts distinguish two phases of HIV infection, which, however, are not observed in all patients. The first phase - acute febrile - occurs in only 70% of infected people. Its symptoms are similar to ordinary ARVI, so HIV is often not diagnosed immediately after infection. After about a month it is observed low temperature, about 37-37.5ºC, painful sensations in the throat, as with an upper respiratory tract infection. Frequent headaches may occur, and there may also be pain syndrome in muscles and joints. Against the background of general malaise and poor sleep, irritability, drowsiness, and lack of desire to eat appear, and, as a result, the patient loses weight before our eyes.

Stomach problems begin, and there may be vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. The only one alarming symptom there may be hyperplasia of the lymph nodes not only in the neck, as with angina, but also in groin area, and in the armpits. In the more serious acute phase, skin rashes or small wounds - ulcers - may occur on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and genitals. Usually, in almost 9 out of 10 patients, this phase passes quickly enough, all symptoms disappear, and the person feels much better.

Then, for several years, the carrier of the virus lives a normal life. But in every tenth patient the disease has a rapid course of HIV infection, followed by a lightning-fast transition to AIDS. The second phase of HIV is called asymptomatic, and, judging by the name, practically does not cause any concern to the patient. It can last from several days to several years. But sooner or later, each of these phases turns into AIDS.

With AIDS, absolutely all systems of the patient’s body cease to function, while all microorganisms living in the human body suddenly begin to act harmfully. Gradually, symptoms appear on the body both inside and outside various diseases, such as stomatitis, lichen different types, diseases of the ear, nose and throat, inflammatory lesions gums and teeth, different allergic reactions, which have not been observed before.

Every day the patient feels worse and worse, while the number of diseases increases. It seems that there is not a single living place on the patient’s body. Against the backdrop of all these inflammatory processes the patient loses appetite, sleep, and rapidly loses weight in a short period of time.

Organic lesions of the central nervous system lead patients to nervous exhaustion and severe nervous breakdown, when the patient tries to cut off all ties with family and friends, does not express a desire to communicate with anyone, and leads a reclusive lifestyle.

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Risk group

There are certain categories of people who are at risk for contracting HIV. This does not mean that a person who is not at risk cannot be infected, but his risk percentage is several orders of magnitude lower. A person may develop symptoms of HIV if they fall into the following category:

• a drug addict who injects with syringes;
• persons of non-traditional sexual orientation, mostly men;
• a woman of the most ancient profession, working on the street;
• people who prefer non-traditional types sex, for example, anal;
• people who are promiscuous and do not use protection;
• category of citizens who are already sick with sexually transmitted diseases;
• the category of citizens who are donors and those who are transfused with blood or its components;
• children still in the womb of an HIV-infected mother;
• doctors and nurses working with HIV patients and at blood transfusion sites.

Behind last years the disease progresses so much that HIV is transmitted in everyday life in several ways, for example, through a razor, if several family members use it. Or when cut with a household knife or other sharp object, if the blood of a virus carrier gets on the resulting cut of a person who does not have HIV. This disease is no longer transmitted in everyday life; it cannot be contracted through saliva, household appliances or towels.

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How is HIV transmitted?

Since the virus cannot be cured yet, and no cure for AIDS has been found, the most effective remedy prevention of this serious disease. How do people become infected with HIV? Let's look at examples:

1. The first, and most common, method is sexual intercourse. Moreover, the variety of methods of sexual transmission is simply amazing. Sex between homosexuals, uncontrolled relationships of prostitutes, married couples or singles who practice anal sex, which can cause microcracks and lesions anal passage, which is the trigger for HIV infection to occur. Young people who are promiscuous when neither they nor their partners are concerned about protecting themselves not only from HIV, but also from STDs. You should know that women who have sex with a partner infected with HIV are 3 times more likely to become infected than men in a similar situation. Therefore, it is extremely important for women to take care of the availability of condoms, especially if there are several sexual partners. The condition of the woman’s external and internal genital organs may also play a role here. If a woman has cervical erosion or microcracks in the vagina, then the risk of HIV infection increases several times.
2. HIV is transmitted through blood. How does HIV infection occur if donated blood is carefully checked using the latest machines, and the risk is reduced to a minimum? You can become infected with this virus not only through a transfusion of blood or its products, but also through blood donation or a cut. sharp object, if an HIV-infected person was previously cut by it. This is dangerous because you can become infected in places where you don’t even expect it. For example, in a dental clinic during dental treatment, in manicure and pedicure salons, when they use instruments that have not been treated after an HIV-infected client.

Every person knows what HIV infection is. But not everyone knows how HIV is transmitted. Or rather, they know only the smallest amount of information about what this virus is and how it affects the patient’s body. Very often, not even every health worker can clearly say how HIV is transmitted.

But the most important thing, which our citizens know little about, is how it is transmitted. this disease. Can you get infected with HIV just by hugging or shaking hands with a sick person?

But first, let’s understand what HIV infection is and what are the main symptoms of this disease.

The main cause of the development of this disease is the immunodeficiency virus. Once a patient becomes infected with this virus, AIDS occurs. This usually takes about 5 years. But at the same time there is an opportunity to avoid such a development of events.

It is quite difficult to say what exactly causes this infection. But still, some risk groups have long been known. The risk of contracting HIV infection is possible in the following categories of citizens:

• people who are promiscuous;
• drug addicts who use hard drugs through injection with the same syringe;
• children who became infected with the virus in the womb, during childbirth or breastfeeding;

But absolutely anyone can become a victim of this disease. To do this, it is enough to use the services of a hairdresser, a manicurist who does not sterilize work items well, or a dentist. But, of course, such routes of infection are rather doubtful. And basically, the sterilization of instruments carried out by a specialist is enough to prevent the virus from being transmitted from one client to another.

Infection affects the degree of manifestation of the disease in the human body. For example, if HIV transmission occurred as a result of an unsuccessful blood transfusion, then the first signs of the disease appear much faster. The same applies to children who are born to sick mothers. These are patients who belong to the so-called HIV-1 group.

In general, there are several stages of disease development. The first period is called incubation, it is quite difficult to detect. It can take from 3 to 6 weeks. After this, the acute phase begins. Detect infection through clinical examination and certain laboratory tests it is forbidden. Externally, this is manifested by increased body temperature, enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat, severe rash on the face and throughout the body. Moreover, the rash will appear in the form of red spots. Possible indigestion, severe headache, vomiting and fear of light. Typically this stage lasts from 2 to 4 weeks.

It is important to remember that when visiting a doctor for the first time, a patient who is in acute stage infection develops, the virus may not be detected. A doctor can diagnose influenza, measles, or tonsillitis.

And only after 1.5 - 3 months from the moment of infection can this disease be clinically detected.

Therefore, in order to ensure that you do not become a victim of the disease, you should always remember exactly how you can become infected with HIV and avoid such situations.

How does infection occur?

In order to protect yourself from infection, you should know how HIV is transmitted. For example, someone claims that it is impossible to become infected through a regular handshake. Of course it is. But only if there are no cuts or wounds on the body. In another case, there is a chance of becoming infected with a normal handshake. But again, in order for the infection to enter the blood of a healthy person, the wound must be fresh and bleeding heavily. Moreover, a similar phenomenon should occur in a sick person. It is unlikely that anyone will greet each other with a hand that gushes blood, so the likelihood of contracting HIV infection in this way is quite small.

Is it possible to become infected by sharing the same hygiene products with a sick person? This is where things get a little more complicated. It must be remembered that virus particles are contained in blood, semen, breast milk and human vaginal secretions. But when this liquid gets on a bed, towel or any other object, the virus cells quickly die. Therefore, in practice, cases of infection through personal hygiene items have never yet been recorded.

In the case of swimming pools, bathhouses and ponds, the situation is the same. Of course, unless you have sex in these places without using a condom.

Many people are concerned about whether people become infected through insect bites. In this case, the answer is no, because a person's blood cannot enter someone else's bloodstream through a mosquito bite.

Well, the most common belief is that the cause of the disease can be a blood transfusion. This is only possible if the donor was a sick person. In other situations, HIV infection does not occur.

As you can see, there are few ways of infection, and it is quite possible to avoid them.

Myths and reality

Many people believe that kissing can transmit HIV.

Again, for this to happen, there must be heavily bleeding wounds in the mouth of each of said pair. But in practice this does not happen, so there is nothing to be afraid of in this case.

It is a very common belief that the infection is transmitted through injections into public transport. The Internet is full of stories about how a girl pricked herself with a needle and immediately became infected. Such transmission methods are not possible. It is worth noting that this is a common myth. Firstly, the virus will not be able to live for so long in the external environment. Unless a sick person, in order to infect a healthy one, needs to inject himself and immediately inject another. And secondly, it is difficult to imagine a drug addict who will shoot up in the presence of dozens of other people on public transport.

Therefore, this theory is fictitious. In general, there are only a certain number of situations in which HIV can be transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person. And if you properly protect yourself from this, then infection is almost impossible. Although, of course, excessive caution has never bothered anyone. But you don’t need to be too suspicious and constantly fear the people around you. Today, there are a number of ways you can calmly and without unnecessary panic protect yourself from such situations; the main thing is to know the real routes of transmission of HIV infection. And understand that those who become infected with HIV are mainly those who are promiscuous without using condoms, and drug addicts who use the same syringes.

What should you remember in case of infection?

If a person fears that he or she may have contracted the disease and has already shown symptoms acute infection, follows in mandatory conduct laboratory examination 1.5 or 3 months after that.

It is important to remember that if the disease does occur, then after acute manifestation the asymptomatic stage begins. This is the so-called latent period, when special features no infection is present. This can last from 3 to 5 years. The worst thing in this situation is that a person, unaware that he is already sick, infects others.

True, some visible signs are already visible. For example, enlarged lymph nodes that appear in the neck and under the arms. But body temperature may not change much. Although, in general, the enlargement of the lymph nodes does not go away. In many cases, the only reason many patients go to the doctor is enlarged lymph nodes. Therefore, this fact cannot be ignored.

After this comes the next stage, which is accompanied by sharp drop body weight, changes in stool, stomach upset lasting more than 1 month. At the same time, enlarged lymph nodes do not disappear anywhere.

Last stage of development

The last stage of the development of the disease is manifested by a number of concomitant infections, ranging from candidiasis of the oral cavity and esophagus, ending with pneumonia, tuberculosis and other bacteriological infections.

Various types may appear mental disorders, tumors and lesions of the nervous system.

If we talk about the life expectancy of patients, then in this case everything depends on the stage of development of the disease and on concomitant infections.

Of course, on average, people who have already been diagnosed with AIDS live from one to three years.

Therefore, it is very important to be regularly tested for the presence of the virus in the blood and to know exactly how it is transmitted.

In any case, it should be remembered that there are only a few likely ways of transmitting the virus from a sick person to a healthy person. And if you know everything about them and beware of such possibilities, then you can say with confidence that HIV infection is not as terrible as they say it is.

In the modern world, there are many centers and organizations that provide support to patients with this disease; they help people endure the period of treatment and subsequently fight for their lives.

Most often, this disease appears in women who are engaged in prostitution and drug addicts.

Then those at risk are those who are promiscuous and do not use a condom. Well, at the end there is the category of citizens who became infected due to the negligence of doctors and other specialists who have access to the human body and blood.

HIV infection (infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus) is a global health problem, the consequences of which kill about a million people every year. For example, in 2014, 1.2 million people died from HIV-related causes. The number of people infected with HIV is in the tens of millions. In Russia, as of the end of January 2016, the number of HIV-infected people reached 1 million people.

AIDS virus

At its core, HIV infection is a slowly progressive viral disease that affects the immune system, the extreme stage of development of which is AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Patients do not die from HIV infection itself, but the suppression of immunity that occurs under the influence of the virus leads to the fact that a person becomes unprotected against cancer and severe infectious diseases that are not dangerous for people with normal immunity.

In this regard, it is extremely important to detect HIV infection in a timely manner and begin treatment, which allows the infected person to live quite actively and productively for decades.

HIV infection is caused by a special retrovirus, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). which opened in 1983. It is quite unstable to physical and chemical factors when compared, for example, with hepatitis viruses. Both salivary enzymes and gastric juice are harmful to HIV. Outside the body, it quickly dies - as soon as the blood, sperm and other fluids of the human body dry out. Temperatures above 56 degrees kill this virus instantly. All these factors influence the characteristics of HIV transmission.

HIV is especially prone to attack immune system cells that have specific CD4 receptors on their surface. These cells include T-helper lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic and other cells. The mechanisms by which HIV affects the immune system are quite complex, but the final result is a significant decrease in the number of CD4+ lymphocytes and suppression of the immune system.

Some people are not naturally susceptible to HIV. Their immune cells contain not normal, but partially altered proteins (CCR5) on the membrane, which is why the interaction of cells with the virus simply cannot occur. In addition, among people infected with HIV, about 1-5% are non-progressors. Their HIV infection does not progress, lymphocytes do not die, and AIDS does not develop. This phenomenon serves as an example of asymptomatic carriage, which occurs in other infectious diseases.

How does HIV infection occur?

HIV, in a concentration sufficient to infect another person, is found only in certain environments of the body: blood, pre-ejaculate, semen, vaginal secretions, milk, lymph. When these media come into contact with damaged skin and mucous membranes, or when they penetrate directly into the bloodstream of a healthy person, infection occurs. Saliva, tears and others biological fluids do not pose a danger in terms of transmission of infection, provided that they do not contain blood.

Intact skin is a reliable barrier to HIV, but mucous membranes are more susceptible because they contain dendritic cells. They have CD4 receptors on their surface and can act as a carrier dangerous infection into the lymphatic system. Moreover, even minimal damage to the mucous membrane, which is not always noticeable to the naked eye, is already high risk infection. Therefore, with genital infections that provoke the development of inflammatory processes, erosions, ulcers on the genital mucosa, the penetration of HIV into the internal environment of the body is greatly simplified.

Based on all this, it can be argued that HIV infection is most likely possible in the following cases:

• When using contaminated needles. This route of transmission is especially relevant for injection drug users.
• When transfusing insufficiently tested donor blood or its components.
• During unprotected sexual intercourse (if we assess the level of danger, then anal comes first, then vaginal and oral sex). The risk of infection is always higher with the receiving partner and in the presence of concomitant sexually transmitted infections.
• During pregnancy and childbirth from a sick mother to a child.
• During breastfeeding (in newborns, in the saliva and gastric juice there are no enzymes that kill HIV).

It is also worth noting that HIV is not transmitted through:

• shared dishes, bedding, etc.;
• insect bites;
• shaking hands (if there are no open wounds on the hands);
• embrace;
• air;
• food;
• water (for example, in a swimming pool);
• kissing (again, provided that both partners do not have any injuries on the lips or in the oral cavity).

At-risk groups

Some people are at particularly high risk of contracting HIV and should be tested regularly for the infection. These risk groups include:

• Injecting drug addicts and their sexual partners.
• People who have unprotected sex (in both homosexual and heterosexual couples) and frequent shifts satellites.
• Medical workers who, by virtue of their professional activity may have direct contact of blood or mucous membranes with the biological media of an infected person.
• Persons who have had blood or its components transfused.
• Children born to HIV-infected mothers.

Clinical picture

HIV infection has the following stages of development:

• Incubation period, which lasts from several days to 2-3 weeks.
• Acute phase. It usually lasts 10-14 days and most often occurs in the form of “flu-like” or “mononucleosis-like” syndromes. Patients are concerned about low-grade fever, enlarged and painful lymph nodes, pain in joints and muscles, rash on the body, ulcers on the oral mucosa, sore throat, general weakness. Nausea and diarrhea may also occur. The development of all these symptoms is associated with very active reproduction of virions in lymphoid tissue, high viral load (concentration of viruses in the blood) and a sharp drop in the number of CD4+ lymphocytes. During acute phase the patient is considered the most contagious. It is also worth noting that this phase may be asymptomatic.
• Latent period. At this stage of the disease, almost all the symptoms described above disappear, and the patient’s immune system “comes to its senses” - the number of lymphocytes increases, and for some time the body maintains them at a level that provides adequate immune protection. This period lasts 5-10 years, if the patient receives antiretroviral treatment - for decades. The only sign that latent period may indicate that something pathological is happening in the body - this is an enlargement of the lymph nodes.
• PreAIDS. This stage begins when the level of CD4+ lymphocytes drops critically and approaches 200 cells in 1 μl of blood. As a result of such suppression of the immune system (its cellular component), the patient develops: recurrent herpes and candidiasis of the oral cavity, genitals, herpes zoster, hairy leukoplakia of the tongue (whitish protruding folds and plaques on the lateral surfaces of the tongue). In general, any infectious disease (for example, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, pneumonia) is more severe than in the general population. In addition, this stage of HIV infection is characterized by a progressive decrease in the patient’s weight.
• AIDS. It's already terminal stage a disease that, without treatment, ends in human death within 1-3 years. The cause of such disastrous consequences of HIV infection are opportunistic infections (those that do not develop in people with normal immunity), severe non-communicable diseases and cancerous tumors.

The following factors can accelerate the progression of HIV infection:

• Elderly age.
• Availability of others viral diseases(for example, hepatitis).
• Poor nutrition.
• Unsatisfactory living conditions.
• Stress.
• Bad habits.
• Genetic features.

Signs of HIV infection

Assessing existing symptoms of a disease and making diagnoses is the prerogative of doctors, but every sane person should know Signs that may indicate HIV infection:

• Unreasonable prolonged increase in body temperature.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Sudden unjustified weight loss.
• Prolonged diarrhea of ​​unknown etiology.
• Tendency to chronicity and constant recurrence of bacterial and viral infectious diseases.
• The occurrence of ailments caused by opportunistic bacteria, fungi, protozoa (this indicates an immunodeficiency state).

Who needs HIV testing:

Why you need to know your HIV status:

• In case of a positive result, treatment can be started in a timely manner and the development of AIDS can be prevented.
• To prevent infection of other people if HIV infection is confirmed.

HIV testing is carried out free of charge, voluntarily (with the exception of certain categories of citizens, which in the Russian Federation include the following) and, if desired, anonymously. However, it is worth noting that an anonymous result does not have legal force. For example, it cannot be attached to a pregnant woman’s exchange card or provided to migration service agencies.

You can get tested for HIV at specialized centers prevention and control of AIDS, as well as in city clinics.

There are two types of HIV tests:

• Indirect, allowing to detect antibodies to the virus in the blood using ELISA (screening tests and confirmatory tests).
• Direct – detection of the virus itself, its antigens and RNA ( viral load).

HIV screening tests are fast, affordable and sufficient informative research, which are used for mass examination of people. If the screening test is positive, it is repeated to rule out error. A repeated positive result requires confirmation by a more accurate, but also expensive analysis - immunoblotting.

In addition, with HIV infection there is such a thing as a “window” period - this is the time during which, after infection, antibodies to HIV are not detected in the patient’s blood. The duration of this period largely depends on the immune status of the person, that is, an exact figure cannot be given. However, it is believed that modern ELISA test systems can “detect” antibodies within 3-5 weeks after infection in most people. But still, in order not to make a mistake, it is advisable after the first negative examination to undergo 2 more with an interval of 3 months. In rare cases, if a person has problems with immune system, the “window” period can last up to a year.

As for direct tests for detecting HIV, the most often used in practice is the detection of viral RNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. This test can show that a person is infected with HIV even when they are in their window period. But a doctor cannot make a diagnosis of HIV infection based only on this result without confirmation by other tests, except in cases in which the assessment of the patient’s immune response may be incorrect. For example, in children born to HIV-positive mothers. Maternal antibodies are transferred to newborns, which will be detected in the child up to 18 months. In addition, a PCR test (viral load determination) is used during patient treatment to determine the effectiveness of the therapy received.

Treatment

There are no medications that can completely remove HIV from the human body, so this disease is considered incurable. However, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can significantly slow the progression of the infection. In addition, against the background of antiretroviral therapy, the patient becomes less infectious (this is one of the aspects of preventing HIV infection).

HAART requires the patient to take three or four antiviral drugs (acting at different stages of the virus) for life. It is very important that the patient observes the dosage and regularity of taking medications. Failure to comply with recommendations leads to the virus developing resistance to drugs, and it is necessary to switch to other, often more expensive, treatment regimens.

Drugs used in the treatment of HIV infection include the following:

• Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Zidovudine, Lamivudine, Tenofovir, Abacovir, etc.).
• Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Nevirapine, Etravirine, Efavirenz, etc.).
• Protease inhibitors (Amprenavir, Atazanavir, Nelfinavir, Ritonavir, etc.).
• Integrase inhibitors (Dolutegravir, Raltegravir).
• Receptor inhibitors (Maraviroc).
• Fusion inhibitors (Enfuvirtide).

It is worth noting that HAART is not prescribed to everyone infected with HIV. Patients are selected according to three main criteria: the presence of symptoms of immunodeficiency, the concentration of CD4+ lymphocytes and viral load. But in September 2015, WHO issued new recommendations according to which all people with HIV, as well as those who are at high risk of infection (such as preventive treatment called pre-exposure prophylaxis). These measures, according to WHO estimates, should save tens of millions of lives and tens of millions more people from contracting a dangerous disease in the near future. WHO recommendations can be read.

Forecast

Without treatment, HIV infection ends in the death of the patient on average after 9-11 years. If HAART is carried out and the patient follows all the doctor’s recommendations regarding lifestyle, bad habits, nutrition, as well as regular monitoring of health, most people with HIV can live to old age.

Prevention of HIV/AIDS

• Using condoms.
• Regular HIV testing of representatives of risk groups.
• Medical circumcision of the foreskin in men.
• Antiretroviral therapy for preventive purposes. This includes pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV-negative partners of people with HIV and post-exposure prophylaxis after possible exposure.
• Harm reduction for injection drug users (programs to replace used syringes, opioid substitution therapy, HIV testing, etc. should be conducted).
• Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of the virus. To achieve this, all women with HIV and their newborn children must be provided with antiretroviral therapy. In such situations, breastfeeding is also not recommended.

In addition, preventive measures include mandatory testing of donor blood, compliance with the appropriate regime in medical institutions, and educational work among the population.

If we talk about preventing HIV infection for specific person, then the rules of life for him should be the following: rejection of casual sex, protected sex and a negative attitude towards drugs.