What is HIV/AIDS?
Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV as it is more widely known, is a virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a life-threatening condition that damages your immune system. The virus reduces the body's ability to defend itself from invaders such as bacteria, viruses and fungi such as cancer, pneumonia, tumors, and meningitis. It does this by destroying the cells that are the main infection fighters called CD4+ or T4 cells.
HIV is most commonly spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual intercourse, blood transfusions, contaminated hypodermic needles, childbirth or breastfeeding. This happens via the exchange, and direct contact with, a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with a bodily fluid containing HIV such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, preseminal fluid and/or breast milk.
Symptoms
Symptoms of HIV and AIDS fluctuate depending on the stage of the infection. In the beginning stages, symptoms can range from nothing at all, to cold or flu symptoms two to four weeks after being infected. They may include fever, headache, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath. Additional signs may include swollen lymph glands (one of the first signs of HIV), rash, diarrhea or weight loss.
Some carriers of the disease will have no symptoms for many years, but the virus continues to reproduce, destroying immune cells as it progresses, and mild to chronic symptoms can occur. Around the 10 - year mark, the infection may develop from HIV into AIDS. At this stage, symptoms may include white spots on your tongue or mouth, night sweats coupled with fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit for several weeks, dry cough or shortness of breath, unclear or blurry vision, headaches, weight loss, constant diarrhea, fatigue, rashes, yeast infections, seizures, and in some cases people slip into a coma.
Children with HIV may experience difficulty growing, gaining weight or learning normally, as well as problems walking and the susceptibility of other infections.
Transmitting the virus to others is still possibly even if someone doesn’t have any symptoms. The virus migrates to the lymph nodes and multiplies. It then begins to destroy your helper T cells (CD4 lymphocytes). T cells are the white blood cells that coordinate your entire immune system.
Treatment
Drugs known as ‘highly active antiretroviral therapy’, or HAART, have greatly reduced HIV-related complications and deaths associated with HIV/AIDS. These HAART drugs - usually a combination of three or more drugs - fight the infection, associated infections and cancers that occur. A combination of prescriptions will be administered that will help boost the immune system and suppress the virus from replicating.
Reverse transcriptase inhibitors hinder the ability of the virus to duplicate. A few examples are Nucleoside or Nucleotide (NRTIs), as well as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIS). NNRTIS works by binding directly to the enzyme reverse transcriptase.
Protease inhibitors (Pls) interrupt virus replication, stopping cells from creating new viruses.
Entry and fusion inhibitors are newer agents that prevent HIV from entering into cells.
One drug that prevents HIV genes from becoming incorporated into the cell’s DNA are called Integrase inhibitors.
Side effects from antiretroviral viral drugs - that stop viral replication and delay the development of AIDS - can be severe. They are known as nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). They work by inhibiting the replication of an HIV enzyme called reverse transcriptase and were one of the first anti-retroviral drugs to be utilized. Decreased levels of red or white blood cells, liver toxicity, gastrointestinal issues, high cholesterol, diabetes, abnormal body fat distribution, painful nerve damage, and pancreas inflammation are some of the side effects of the antiretroviral viral drugs.
Treatment since HIV was first classified in the 1980’s has greatly increased. These treatments have added years to the lives, and improved the quality of life for many. Potential new drugs are continually being researched and developed to help fight the disease.
Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NtRTIs) work similar to nucleoside analogs by interfering with the replication of reverse transcriptase and prohibiting the virus from inserting its genetic material into cells.
One type of HIV infection known as CCR5-tropic HIV-1, is treated with hemokine co-receptor inhibitors. It’s the first drug that targets a human protein rather than components of the HIV virus itself.
Viral load is tested at the start of your treatment and in most cases, every 9 to 16 weeks during treatment to measure effectiveness.
Tests & Diagnosis
It is highly important to be tested for HIV if you think you may have been exposed to the disease. Tests can be anonymous and don’t even require a needle stick. Early detection is a key factor in assisting with treatment plans and to monitor progression. Counseling will be suggested to discuss any fears over the potential test outcome. According to the CDC, one in three people infected with HIV in the U.S. is not aware that they are infected, unknowingly spreading the disease. It is recommended that anyone that has had more than one sexual partner be tested.
Prognosis
Although it is still considered a terminal disease, meaning that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, it no longer means you are going to die young. A proper combination of medications allows many people with HIV to live into old age without developing AIDS. It’s estimated 39.5 million people have HIV worldwide.
Prevention
Education is the key to avoiding infection. Knowing how the disease is transmitted is important. Semen, blood, vaginal secretions, and breast milk are the four bodily fluids that transmit HIV. Be sure to find out the HIV status of any sexual partner and don’t engage in unprotected sexual intercourse unless you are certain your partner is not infected with HIV. Use of a condom reduces your risk of infection, but does not completely eliminate it. Refrain from sharing needles, syringes, razors or toothbrushes. Getting tested when returning from another country if you came in contact with blood there, and getting regular screening are also good preventative measures. Women should have an annual Pap test as well. If you’ve tested positive for HIV, don’t donate blood or organs. Pregnant women can reduce a baby’s risk as much as two-thirds if treatment is administered during pregnancy. Healthcare professionals should follow the national guidelines for protecting themselves against exposure to contaminated fluids and needle sticks.
Helpful Links
HIV / AIDS
HIV / AIDS MEDICATION INFORMATION
HivAidsRxAssist Program
The experts at BioPlus HivAidsRxAssist Program are here to help you understand your disease and your treatment options.
The challenges of your disease and the Biologic medicines used to treat them can be difficult to face. You are not alone. Once you contact us, numerous specialty teams begin acting on your behalf. From working with your prescriber, dealing with your insurance, getting authorizations, seeking the best financial option including financial assistance, home delivery, assistance with side effects and more.
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