HIV & AIDS Introduction

AIDS was first recognised as a new condition in 1981. Since then around 40 million people worldwide have been infected with HIV, the virus which can lead to AIDS. About a third of them have died. However, developments in treatment since the mid-nineties have dramatically improved the life expectancy for those diagnosed with HIV in the UK.

Symptoms

People with HIV may not have any symptoms at all while they are in the latent phase. However, many people experience symptoms in the first couple of months after getting infected. These symptoms may include high temperature and fever, fatigue, skin rash, muscle pains, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. But, if you have any of these symptoms, it is worth remembering that all of them are also symptoms of much simpler and less threatening conditions, such as flu.Once someone becomes ill with HIV, they are open to many infections. These can include infections of the mouth, such as thrush (oral candidiasis), unusual types of pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), infections of the brain and eyes, unusual skin problems and odd infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Most people with severe HIV infection also experience weight loss, enlargement of their lymph glands and persistent diarrhoea.

Causes

Once the HIV virus enters the body, it seeks out a type of white blood cells called helper T-lymphocytes. These usually defend the body against infection. The virus takes over the T-lymphocyte, causing it to die and releasing billions of copies of the virus back into the blood. These new viruses attach themselves to new T-lymphocytes and so the infection spreads. For a while, the body manages to keep producing enough T-lymphocytes to keep the immune system working properly. This is sometimes called the "latent phase". But, after some time (usually several years, sometimes as long as fifteen) and without effective treatment, the body reaches a stage where it cannot keep up with the HIV.

Then, the immune system starts to fail and the person starts to become susceptible to other infections which would not normally make them ill. The person is now said to have AIDS.

Treatment

The treatment of HIV and AIDS is a specialised area that includes treatment to suppress the virus, treatment of conditions resulting from the virus, and emotional and psychological support for the individual and his or her family. Most treatment is done by specialists in HIV or GUM (genito-urinary medicine) clinics, although increasingly GPs are involved in the care of people with HIV. Medication for HIV falls into two main categories. The first is what is called combination therapy. This is usually started when there are clear signs that a person’s immune system is reaching dangerously low levels. It works to suppress the virus and maintain the person’s immunity as far as possible.

There are now a number of these anti-HIV drugs (often called anti-retroviral drugs) which are given in combination and have dramatically improved the life expectancy of someone diagnosed with HIV. However, the treatments are complex and probably need to be taken for the rest of someone’s life, and can have serious side effects. Which ones to take and when to start taking them varies according to individual circumstances and is best discussed with a specialist.

The second type of treatment involves the treatments required for any AIDS-related illnesses that arise. These will vary according to the condition diagnosed. For many people, testing and appropriate combination therapy treatment may avoid the need for treatment of this kind.

Other support available includes dieticians, physiotherapists, counsellors, and a wide range of social care and peer support services from voluntary organisations.