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HIV infection Causes and Risks:
Primary or acute HIV infection may be associated with symptoms resembling mononucleosis or the flu within 2 to 4 weeks of exposure. HIV seroconversion (converting from HIV negative to HIV positive) occurs within 3 months of exposure.
Acute HIV infection can, but does not always, progress to symptomatic HIV infection and advanced HIV diseases or AIDS . In a study of people infected with the virus from 1977 through 1980, some have no signs or symptoms of HIV infection, and some have only generalized lymphadenopathy (enlarged nodes). It cannot be assumed that all people infected with HIV will inevitably progress to AIDS.
It is estimated that 1 out of every 200 people in the United States carries the HIV virus (not all exhibit symptoms). HIV has spread throughout the U.S. and higher concentrations of the disease are found in inner city areas.
Related topics:
Prevention:
Do not have sexual contact with persons known or suspected of having AIDS .
Do not have sex with numerous people or with people who have multiple partners. Do not have sex with prostitutes.
Do not use intravenous drugs. If IV drugs are used, do not share needles or syringes. (Boiling or cleaning them with alcohol does not guarantee sterility.)
Do not have sex with people who use IV drugs.
People with AIDS or who have had positive antibody tests may pass the disease on to others and should not donate blood, plasma, body organs, or sperm. They should not exchange body fluids during sexual activity.
Avoid oral, vaginal, or anal contact with semen.
Avoid anal intercourse, since it causes small abrasions in the rectal tissues, through which the AIDS virus in an infected partner's semen may be injected directly into the recipient's blood.
Avoid oral contact with the anus, and do not engage in the insertion of fingers or fists into the anus as active or receptive partner.
Do not allow a partner's urine to enter your mouth, anus, eyes, or open cuts or sores.
Safer sex behaviors may reduce the risk of acquiring the infection. There is a risk of acquiring the infection even if "safe sex" is practiced with the use of condoms . Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent sexual transmission of the virus.
Symptoms:
Any of the following symptoms may occur: Note: At the time of diagnosis with HIV infection, many people have not experienced symptoms.
Signs and Tests:
Treatment:
Therapy with Retrovir, an antiviral agent, is controversial in early infection. It is usually not recommended.
People with HIV infection need to receive education about the disease and treatment so that they can be active partners in decision-making with the health care provider.
Support group :
The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See AIDS - support group .
Prognosis:
HIV is a chronic medical condition that can be treated but not yet cured. There are effective means of preventing complications and delaying, but not preventing, progression to AIDS . At the present time, not all persons infected with HIV have progressed to AIDS.
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have had a possible or actual exposure to AIDS or HIV infection.
Kaposi's sarcoma on the toe. This once-rare malignancy of the blood vessels is now associated with AIDS. It is more frequently associated with AIDS in homosexual men than AIDS in IV drug users. The malignancy results in purplish grape-like lesions in the skin, gastrointestinal tract and other organs. In this photograph, the lesion is located on the toe.
Kaposi's sarcoma on the foot. This once-rare malignancy of the blood vessels is now associated with AIDS. It is more frequently associated with AIDS in homosexual men than AIDS in IV drug users. The malignancy results in purplish grape-like lesions in the skin, gastrointestinal tract and other organs.
Herpes is generally a localized infection. In immunocompromised individuals such as this one, the lesions are seen on the chin and neck. In people who have AIDS, herpes can spread rampantly. It is extremely difficult to treat in the absence of a competent immune system.
Kaposi's sarcoma is a vascular cancer that is now closely associated with AIDS. These vascular lesions are typically purple, may be raised, and exhibit a grape-like surface texture.
This is an AIDS patient with a severe case of molluscum contagiosum on the face. Molluscum contagiosum are small, raised, pearly skin lesions caused by the molluscum virus, a member of the poxvirus family. They are seen frequently in children and less often in adults. In adults, they may be considered a sexually transmitted disease. Immunocompromised individuals may experience heavy outbreaks of these lesions, as seen in this photograph.
Kaposi's sarcoma usually occurs in male homosexuals with AIDS. These lesions can appear anywhere on the body as purple, elevated growths. This sarcoma is located near the anus (perianal).
Herpes simplex virus normally infects mucous membranes. In people with weakened immune systems (immunocompromised) it may infect many areas including the skin. A large are of tissue has been damaged with some tissue death (necrosis). These infections are difficult to treat.
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