Groups at high risk of HIV infection. The vertical path is from mother to child. Prognosis for HIV infection

HIV risk groups is information that everyone should know. With its help you can protect yourself from this dangerous illness and warn your family and friends. Risk groups for HIV infection are people for whom the threat is high due to lifestyle, profession and a number of other reasons. Who is included in it?

AIDS: risk groups by professional activity

There are several professions whose representatives are at high risk of contracting the immunodeficiency virus. This primarily concerns medical workers. And surgeons are the first to be at risk of contracting HIV infection. Representatives of this profession specializing in conducting abdominal operations, often risk their own health. The fact is that only planned patients are subject to mandatory testing for AIDS. Before the operation, or rather during its preparation, their blood is taken for antibodies to the virus. However, medical workers do not always have the opportunity to carry out such a check.

Often patients are brought to the department already in critical condition, requiring urgent surgical intervention, condition. In this case, surgeons observe increased safety measures, since they are at risk of professional HIV infection. But it is not always possible to protect yourself from infection in the body in this way. For example, a careless movement of a scalpel can cause a hand to be injured even through two pairs of gloves, and a specialist will not have time to urgently treat the wound with alcohol. And many such examples can be given.

The risk group for HIV infection includes not only surgeons, but also medical workers who draw or test blood. We are talking about nurses, laboratory staff and donor centers. Careless handling of infected or possibly infected blood can also lead to the virus entering the body.

Professional risk groups for HIV infection can also be supplemented with specialists in the field of venereology, urology and gynecology. These doctors do not work with blood, but with secretory fluid secreted from the genitals. And, as you know, it also contains virus cells. By the way, dentists also have a high risk of initiation. Indeed, during some professional manipulations, such specialists also deal with blood. And immunodeficiency virus cells can also be contained in the saliva of patients. Therefore, dentists are sometimes among those who become infected and suffer from AIDS as a result of their professional activities.

Who can be infected with AIDS among people who have other health problems?

Medical experts draw conclusions about who gets HIV among people with other diseases based on research that has been conducted over several decades. To date, it has been established that people with other untreated or untreated sexually transmitted diseases have a greater risk of infection. Why do such people belong to the risk group for HIV infection? Firstly, because sexually transmitted diseases cause serious blow on immunity. Secondly, most of them lead to the appearance of ulcers, cracks and erosions on the genitals, which increase the risk of infection during sexual contact.

This risk group for HIV infection also includes hemophiliacs. This disease mainly affects men. Its treatment is specific and requires frequent administration of globulin and thromboplastin. The latter is a component specially removed from plasma. It comes in two types - cryoprecipite or concentrate. When preparing the latter, plasma from several thousand donors is used. This accordingly increases the risk of infection. Especially if blood from unverified donors is used. Cryoprecipite is prepared from the plasma of just a few donors. Accordingly, its use allows patients with hemophilia not to fall into the risk group for contracting AIDS.

Other groups at increased risk of HIV infection

Other groups increased risk in most cases they lead an immoral lifestyle. Most high risk infections in girls and women of easy virtue. A prostitute with AIDS is not uncommon. Infection among representatives of the ancient profession can occur if low-quality contraceptives are used. It is important to note here that barrier method Contraception cannot protect one hundred percent from infection entering the body.

Prostitutes infected with AIDS often infect their clients. At the same time, sometimes girls do not know that they are sick, since with their lifestyle they need to be checked for the presence of the virus almost every week. But infection does not always occur due to ignorance about the terrible disease. Some HIV-infected prostitutes deliberately infect their clients. In this case we are talking about mental disorders. After all, they deliberately endanger the lives of other people. Some do this out of revenge, others out of anger at the whole world and, especially, at men.

Among many diseases, the most dangerous is HIV infection. This is a disease that is caused by the immunodeficiency virus. There are several ways of transmitting HIV, and they all come from an infected person. Infection can occur even at the stage incubation period.

HIV infection is characterized by a slow progression, during which the virus attacks the cells of the immune and nervous systems. The disease entails concomitant pathologies and neoplasms, which will ultimately cause the death of the patient.

The main mechanisms of transmission of the immunodeficiency virus:

1. Exogenous – transmission of the virus occurs externally. It may be an intrauterine or vertical mechanism. HIV infection is transmitted from an infected woman to her child before birth. The virus can also pass into the child’s body during birth or through the mother’s breast milk.
2. The horizontal route of transmission is intimate relationships. The infection is found in biological fluid and enters the body during intimate relationships. healthy person.
3. Infection through blood occurs if non-sterile instruments were used during blood transfusion or the plasma itself was contaminated.
4. Artificial is the route of transmission of the virus through artificial means. This happens in a hospital, when during medical procedures the integrity of the skin or mucous membranes can be damaged, through which the virus can penetrate. Such an infection has low level probabilities.
   The artificial mechanism of HIV transmission includes blood-contact infection (organ transplantation, blood transfusion). But the infection rate in this case is very low.
   The largest amount of virus is found in a man's semen, vaginal discharge women and blood. They constitute a high risk of infection for a healthy person. Less concentration of HIV infection in salivary secretions, urine or tears. In such biological fluids the virus is practically harmless.

Among all the mechanisms of transmission of the immunodeficiency virus, the dominant one remains the infection through sexual contact, since it is in the biological fluids of infected men or women greatest number human immunodeficiency virus.

As for HIV infection of a newborn child, in almost 15–25% this occurs during breastfeeding. The main route of infection of the baby remains intrauterine infection and the perinatal mechanism of HIV transmission to the child during the birth process itself. The infection rate in this case reaches 50%.

Interesting! Quite rarely, infection with the immunodeficiency virus can occur during artificial conception of a woman.

Risk groups for HIV infection:

1. Drug addicts, sexual minorities (homo-, bisexuals), drug addicts, people without a fixed place of residence, prostitutes.
2. Men and women who actively and frequently change sexual partners.
3. Hotel staff, military personnel, sailors, seasonal workers, tourists.
4. Such risk factors are ambiguous and can either act together or not be the cause of the disease development mechanism at all. The main thing is to be careful and attentive to your health. In case of any suspicious contacts, it is important to contact a doctor and get tested.

Ways in which HIV infection is not transmitted:

It is worth noting that HIV infection cannot be transmitted through insect bites. Animals are also not carriers of the virus. The likelihood of transmission of the virus by airborne droplets, food and transmission has not been proven.

Properties of a dangerous disease and the development of pathology

The human immunodeficiency virus is a virus with an unstable structure. It can die if it is exposed to acetone, alcohol or ether. Also, the virus is not able to live on the surface of the skin; here it dies from harmful influence protective enzymes and bacteria that the body produces on it.

The immunodeficiency virus cannot exist in high temperatures(above 56 degrees).
The whole insidiousness of the infection lies in the fact that the virus constantly changes as it passes from one person to another. Even his treatment changes every time. This condition of HIV infection does not allow the creation of drugs for it.

Periods of development of HIV infection:

1. Initial period develops immediately after the virus enters the human body. At this time, the production of antibodies occurs, which can last from 21 to 60 days.
2. Asymptomatic course of the disease. This period can last from several months to 5–10 years. All this time, the virus does not manifest itself in any way, gradually destroying the cells of the immune and nervous system.
3. Stage of disease progression. It is characterized by inflammatory and infectious processes in the body, manifested by an increase lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin area.

If the disease is not treated for a long time, it can develop into AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. At this time, the person begins to experience the following symptoms:

The development of HIV infection provokes the appearance of concomitant diseases that are difficult to treat, since the immune system is completely depleted and the body does not have the strength to fight the development of other diseases.

Diagnosis of the disease and treatment of pathology

In most cases, people do not know that they are infected with HIV. They may not feel the manifestations of the virus for a long time, but gradually infect the people around them. Pathology is often detected during an HIV test during pregnancy or other medical examinations.

If antibodies to HIV infection are detected in the blood, the test is performed twice more in order to eliminate the false result.

The result of the research can be either positive (presence of the virus) or negative. In the first case, when antibodies are detected, the serum is sent for further epidemiological studies to the AIDS center. There, the results are checked again and a final diagnosis is made.

An epidemiological study allows you to conduct a number of tests that will help accurately determine the presence of the immunodeficiency virus and its transition to the stage of AIDS.

Taken together, the epidemiological study allows us to draw the following conclusions about the existing disease:

1. The number of infected people, the presence or absence of an epidemic.
2. Determination of the main risk factors for HIV infection.
3. Developing forecasts for the spread of the virus and its transmission.

Using the epidemiological method, scientists annually make positive discoveries in the origin and development of HIV infection. By using experimental methods Medicines are being developed that can slow down the spread of the virus in the body.

As for the treatment of the immunodeficiency virus, it is aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. There are no medications that can completely rid a person of HIV infection. Therefore, experts are trying to slow the progression of the disease and reduce the amount of virus in the blood for as long as possible. In this case, antiretroviral drugs are used, which are able to suppress the infection in the body for some time.

HIV infection - dangerous disease human immune system. You need to understand that there are many mechanisms of transmission of such pathology, the main one of which is sexual. In this regard, women and men need to carefully choose sexual partners, avoid casual contacts and always monitor their health, undergo timely examinations, and not ignore visits to the doctor.

WHO SAID THAT IT IS HARD TO CURE INFERTILITY?

• Have you been wanting to conceive a child for a long time?
• Many methods have been tried, but nothing helps...
• Diagnosed with thin endometrium...
• In addition, for some reason the recommended medications are not effective in your case...
• And now you are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that will give you the long-awaited baby!

The new disease was first reported on June 5, 1981, in the American weekly Morbidity and Mortality Daily Reports. Naturally, the emergence of a new virus has given rise to numerous hypotheses about its origin.

According to some scientists, the virus is of monkey origin. Viruses very similar in their genetic structure to HIV have been isolated from monkeys from Africa. How could transmission of a related monkey virus to humans occur? Many tribes in Central Africa hunt and eat monkeys. internal organs and blood for food. Infection with the monkey virus could have occurred during cutting of the carcass through lesions on the skin of the hunter or through consumption raw meat, monkey brain.

Scientists express the opinion that overcoming the species barrier could have occurred as a result of mutation of the monkey virus as a consequence of radioactive exposure. In the 1950-1960s, nuclear weapons were tested, and in the equatorial zone of the globe there was a sharp increase in the radioactive background, which in places where uranium ores in some areas of Africa it is very high.

According to another version, expressed by a number of scientists, HIV is artificially created. Back in 1969, the Pentagon developed a program to create bacteriological weapons capable of suppressing the human immune system. In one of the US research centers using the method genetic engineering obtained new types of viruses from viruses isolated from African animals. The tests were carried out on convicts serving life sentences in exchange for release at the end of the experiment. Perhaps their release contributed to the spread of HIV infection among the population

The version is based on the coincidence of the completion of the experiment on the development of this type of bacteriological weapon and the appearance of the first cases of AIDS among homosexuals, namely in the USA and the countries of Central Africa. However, there is no convincing objective or documentary evidence to support it.

1. Stages of the disease

During the course of the disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, there are several stages:

First stage– absence of clinical manifestations of HIV infection. This stage lasts from 2 to 15 years. It is called HIV infection. A person can look and feel healthy and still transmit the infection to others.

Second stage– pre-AIDS. Characterized by the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease: enlarged lymph nodes; weight loss; fever; weakness.

Third stage– AIDS. Lasts from several months to 2 years, ending in the death of the patient. Characterized by the development of severe, life-threatening diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses.

1. Routes of transmission of HIV infection

HIV does not live in animals. For its vital activity and reproduction, it needs human cells, therefore it cannot be transmitted from animals to humans. This position was proven by American scientists working in a monkey nursery. In experiments on rats, mice, baboons and cats, it was never possible to get infected. Therefore, you can only become infected with the virus that causes AIDS from a person who is the source of HIV infection.

In an HIV-infected person, the virus content in different fluids is not the same. The largest amount of virus sufficient to infect another person in an HIV-infected person is contained in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, and breast milk. Therefore, we can talk about three routes of HIV transmission:

parenteral (through the blood, by getting the virus into the blood);

vertical (if an infected woman decides to give birth to a child, that is, the virus can be transmitted from an HIV-infected mother to the child during pregnancy, childbirth, and feeding).

Infection through the blood is the fastest way, so it spreads exponentially among injection drug users. And the reason for everything is the use of one syringe two or three times. When injecting drugs, blood usually remains in the needle, which enters the vein of the next user of the syringe, infecting him. Drug addicts often leave for other groups, spreading the infection further. Theoretically, there could also be a risk of infection through donated blood. But every portion of it is necessarily checked. If a positive result is detected, the blood is removed and destroyed.

There are other ways of introducing infection through the blood (manicures, bloody fights, unsterile razors, etc.

The sexual tract is slower. The risk during protected sex is extremely low, but during unprotected sex it has its own nuances. For example, an infected man infects his partner from the first contact. And an infected woman (gynecologically healthy) cannot always transmit HIV to a man. There are married couples registered in the Kiev city center where the wife is infected, but the husband and children are healthy.

Today it has already been reliably revealed, for example, that high level sexually transmitted diseases in society, reducing the immunity of sick people, makes them at the same time easily vulnerable to HIV infection. A high level of sexually transmitted diseases is an indicator of the frequency of sexual relations, especially extramarital (casual) ones, which in urban conditions social control and sexual promiscuity may well lead to a potential increase in the number of people infected with HIV.

A traditional form of risk is homosexual sexual contact.

HIV infection is a disease provoked by the immunodeficiency virus, and also characterized by the relevant acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which, in turn, acts as a factor contributing to the development of secondary infections, as well as various neoplasms malignant in nature. HIV infection, the symptoms of which manifest themselves in this way, leads to the deepest depression of those protective properties, which are inherent in the body as a whole.

general description

An HIV-infected person acts as a reservoir of infection and its direct source, and he remains so at any stage of this infection, throughout his life. African monkeys (HIV-2) are identified as a natural reservoir. HIV-1 in the form of a specific natural reservoir has not been identified, although it is possible that wild chimpanzees may act as it. HIV-1, as it became known based on laboratory research, can provoke an infection without any clinical manifestations, and this infection ends after some time full recovery. As for other animals, they are generally not susceptible to HIV.

IN significant amount The virus content is noted in the blood, menstrual fluid, vaginal secretions and semen. In addition, the virus is also found in saliva, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid and tear fluid. The greatest danger lies in its presence in vaginal secretions, sperm and blood.

In the case of an actual inflammatory process or in the presence of lesions of the mucous membranes in the genital area, which, for example, is possible with, the possibility of transmitting the infection in question in both directions increases. That is, the affected area acts in this case as an entry/exit gate through which HIV transmission is ensured. A single sexual contact determines the possibility of transmission of infection in a low percentage of probability, but with an increase in the frequency of sexual intercourse, the greatest activity is observed precisely with this method. Within living conditions there is no transmission of the virus. A possible option for HIV transmission is the condition of a placental defect, which, accordingly, is relevant when considering HIV transmission during pregnancy. In this case, HIV appears directly in the bloodstream of the fetus, which is also possible during labor during trauma, which is relevant for birth canal.

The implementation of the parenteral method of transmission is also possible through the transfusion of blood, frozen plasma, platelets and red blood cells. About 0.3% of the total number of infections occurs through injections (subcutaneous, intramuscular), including accidental injections. Otherwise, such statistics can be presented as 1 case for every 300 injections.

On average, up to 35% of children of HIV-infected mothers also become infected. The possibility of infection when breastfeeding by infected mothers cannot be ruled out.

As for the natural susceptibility of people to the infection in question, it is extremely high. The average life expectancy for HIV-infected patients is about 12 years. Meanwhile, due to the emergence of new products in the field of chemotherapy, there are now certain opportunities to prolong the life of such patients. Predominantly those affected are sexually active people, to a greater extent men, although during recent years The trend towards the prevalence of morbidity began to increase among women and children. When infected at the age of 35 years or more, AIDS is achieved almost twice as fast (compared to the transition to it in younger patients).

Also, when considering the period of the last few years, the dominance of the parenteral route of infection is noted, in which people who use the same syringe at the same time are infected, which, as can be understood, is especially true among drug addicts.

Additionally, the number of infections due to heterosexual contact is also subject to an increase. This kind of tendency is quite understandable, in particular, when it comes to drug addicts who act as a source of infection transmitted to their sexual partners.

Sharp rise in HIV prevalence in Lately also noted among donors.

HIV: risk groups

The following persons are at risk of increased risk of infection:

• persons who use injecting drugs, as well as common utensils required in the preparation of such drugs, this also includes the sexual partners of such persons;
• persons who, regardless of their current orientation, practice unprotected sexual intercourse (including anal);
• persons who have undergone a transfusion procedure donated blood without preliminary verification;
• doctors of various profiles;
• persons sick with one or another venereal disease;
• persons directly involved in the field of prostitution, as well as persons using their services.

There are some statistics regarding the risk of HIV transmission according to the characteristics of sexual contacts, these statistics are in particular considered within every 10,000 such contacts:

• inserting partner + fellatio – 0.5;
• receiving partner + fellatio – 1;
• inserting partner (vaginal sex) – 5;
• receiving partner (vaginal sex) – 10;
• introducing partner ( anal sex) – 6,5;
• receiving partner (anal sex) – 50.

Sexual contact in its protected form, but with a rupture of the condom or when its integrity is violated, is no longer such. To minimize similar situations, it is important to use a condom according to the rules provided for this; it is also important to choose reliable types.

Considering the characteristics of transmission and risk groups, it is worth noting how HIV is not transmitted:

• through clothes;
• through dishes;
• with any type of kiss;
• through insect bites;
• through the air;
• through a handshake;
• when using a shared toilet, bathroom, swimming pool, etc.

Forms of the disease

The immunodeficiency virus is characterized high frequency genetic changes that are relevant to him, which are formed during self-reproduction. The length of the HIV genome is determined to be 104 nucleotides, but in practice, each virus differs from its previous version by at least 1 nucleotide. As for varieties in nature, HIV exists here in the form of various variants of quasi-species. Meanwhile, several main varieties have been identified, significantly different from each other on the basis of certain characteristics, especially this difference affected the structure of the genome. Above we have already highlighted these two forms in the text, now we will consider them in more detail.

• HIV-1 – this form is the first of a number of options; it was opened in 1983. Today it is most widespread.
• HIV-2 – this form of the virus was identified in 1986; the difference from the previous form so far lies in its insufficient knowledge. The difference, as already noted, lies in the features of the genome structure. There is also information that HIV-2 is less pathogenic, and its transmission is slightly less likely (again, compared to HIV-1). It was also noted that when infected with HIV-1, patients are more susceptible to the possibility of becoming infected with HIV-1 due to the weakness of the immune system characteristic of this condition.
• HIV -3. This variety is quite rare in its manifestation, it has been known about it since 1988. The virus discovered then, with the antibodies of the others known forms did not enter into the reaction, it is also known that it is characterized by a significant difference in the genome structure. In a more common version, this form is defined as HIV-1 subtype O.
• HIV -4. This type of virus is also quite rare.

The global HIV epidemic centers on the HIV-1 form. As for HIV-2, its prevalence is relevant for West Africa, and HIV-3, as well as HIV-4, do not take a noticeable part in the spread of the epidemic. Accordingly, references to HIV in general are limited to a specific type of infection, that is, HIV-1.

In addition there is clinical classification HIV according to specific stages: incubation stage and the stage of primary manifestations, the latent stage and the development stage secondary manifestations, as well as the terminal stage. Primary manifestations in this classification can be characterized by the absence of symptoms, as the primary infection itself, including a possible combination with secondary diseases. For the fourth of the listed stages, division into certain periods in the form of 4A, 4B and 4C is relevant. The periods are characterized by passing through a progression phase, as well as through a remission phase, and the difference during these phases is whether antiviral therapy is used or not. Actually, based on the above classification, the main symptoms of HIV infection are determined for each specific period.

HIV infection: symptoms

Symptoms, as noted above, are determined for HIV infection for each specific period, that is, in accordance with a specific stage, we will consider each of them.

• Incubation stage

The duration of this stage can be on the order of three weeks to three months, in some, quite in rare cases, the extension of this period can reach a year. This period characterized by the reproduction activity of the virus; there is no immune response to it at this time. The completion of the incubation period of HIV infection is marked either by a clinical manifestation of acute HIV infection, or by the appearance of antibodies against HIV in the patient’s blood. At this stage, the basis for diagnosing HIV infection is the detection of viral DNA particles or its antigens in the blood serum.

• Primary manifestations

This stage is characterized by the manifestation of a reaction on the part of the body in response to actively occurring replication of the virus, which occurs in combination with the clinic that occurs against the background of an immune reaction and acute infection. Immune reaction consists in particular in the production of a specific type of antibodies. The course of this stage can occur without symptoms, while the only sign that may indicate the development of infection is positive result at serological diagnostics regarding the presence of antibodies to this virus.

Manifestations characterizing the second stage appear in the form of acute HIV infection. The actual onset here is acute, and it is observed in more than half of the patients (up to 90%) 3 months after the infection occurred, while the onset of manifestations is often preceded by activation of the formation of HIV antibodies. The course of acute infection with exception in it secondary pathologies can be very different. Thus, fever, diarrhea, pharyngitis, various types and specifics of the rash, concentrated in the area of ​​visible mucous membranes and skin, lienal syndrome, polylymphadenitis.

Acute HIV infection in about 15% of patients is characterized by the addition of a secondary type of disease to its course, this, in turn, is associated with reduced immunity in this state. In particular, such diseases often include herpes, sore throats and pneumonia, fungal infections etc.

The duration of this stage can be on the order of several days, but a course of several months is not excluded (average indicators are aimed at up to 3 weeks). After this, the disease, as a rule, passes into the next, latent stage of the course.

• Latent stage

The course of this stage is accompanied by a gradual increase in the state of immunodeficiency. In this case, compensation for the death of immune cells occurs through their intensive production. Diagnosis of HIV within this period is possible, again, due to serological reactions, in which antibodies are detected in the blood against the impact of HIV infection. Concerning clinical signs, then they can manifest themselves in the enlargement of several lymph nodes according to various groups, not connected to each other (except for the inguinal ones). There are no other types of changes in the lymph nodes, other than their enlargement (that is, there is no pain or any other characteristic changes in the area of ​​surrounding tissues). The duration of the latent stage can be about 2-3 years, although options for its course of 20 years or longer are not excluded (average indicators are mainly reduced to figures up to 7 years).

• Accession secondary diseases

In this case join accompanying illnesses of various origins(protozoal, fungal, bacterial). As a result of a severe condition characterizing immunodeficiency, malignant formations. Based on the general severity of associated diseases, the course of this stage can proceed in accordance with the following options:

- 4A. Current weight loss is not very pronounced (within 10%), there are lesions of the mucous membranes and skin. Performance is reduced.

- 4B. Weight loss exceeds 10% of the patient’s usual body weight, and the temperature reaction is prolonged. The possibility of prolonged diarrhea cannot be ruled out, even without the presence of organic reasons for its occurrence, in addition, tuberculosis may develop. The infectious type of disease recurs, subsequently progressing noticeably. In patients during this period, hairy leukoplakia and Kaposi's sarcoma are detected.

- 4B. This condition is characterized by general cachexia (a condition in which patients reach extreme exhaustion with simultaneously pronounced weakness); associated secondary diseases occur in their generalized form (that is, in the most severe form of manifestation). In addition, candidiasis is noted respiratory tract and esophagus, pneumonia (Pneumocystis), tuberculosis (its extrapulmonary forms), severe neurological disorders.

The listed substages of the disease are characterized by a transition from a progressive course to remission, which, again, is determined in their characteristics by whether concomitant antiretroviral therapy is present or not.

• Terminal stage

Secondary diseases within this stage, acquired during HIV infection, become irreversible in their own course due to the characteristics of the state of the immune system and the body as a whole. The treatment methods used in their address lose any effectiveness, so after a few months the onset of death.

It should be noted that HIV infection in its course is extremely diverse, and the given stage options can only be conditional, or even completely excluded from the picture of the disease. In addition, symptoms of HIV during any of these stages in these options may be completely absent or manifest differently.

HIV infection in children: symptoms and features

Largely clinical manifestations HIV infections in children are reduced to developmental delays at the physical and psychomotor levels.
Children are more likely than adults to develop recurrent forms bacterial infections, with encephalopathy, hyperplasia of the pulmonary lymph nodes. Thrombocytopenia is often diagnosed, the clinical manifestations of which include the development hemorrhagic syndrome, due to the peculiarities of which death often occurs. In frequent cases, it also develops.

As for HIV infection in children of HIV-infected mothers, there is a significantly more accelerated progression of its course. If a child becomes infected at the age of one year, then the development of the disease mainly occurs at a less accelerated pace.

Diagnosis

Considering the fact that the course of the disease is characterized by a duration of absence of severe symptoms, diagnosis is possible only on the basis of laboratory tests, which boil down to identifying antibodies to HIV in the blood or directly upon detection of the virus. The acute phase mainly does not determine the presence of antibodies, however, three months after infection, they are detected in about 95% of cases. After 6 months, antibodies are detected in about 5% of cases, more than later- about 0.5-1%.

At the AIDS stage, a significant decrease in the amount of antibodies in the blood is recorded. During the first week from the moment of infection, the inability to detect antibodies to HIV is defined as the “seronegative window” period. It is for this reason that even negative results HIV tests are not reliable evidence of the absence of infection and, accordingly, do not provide a reason to exclude the possibility of infecting other people. In addition to a blood test, a PCR scraping can also be prescribed - enough effective method, due to which the possibility of detecting RNA particles belonging to the virus is determined.

Treatment

There are currently no therapeutic methods through which it would be possible to completely eliminate HIV infection from the body. Taking this into account, the basis of such methods is constant control over one’s own immune status while simultaneously preventing secondary infections (with their treatment when they appear), as well as controlling the formation of tumors. Quite often, HIV-infected patients need psychological help, as well as corresponding social adaptation.

Given the significant degree of distribution and high level of social significance within the national and global scales, support is provided along with rehabilitation for patients. Access to a number of social programs is provided, on the basis of which patients receive medical care, due to which the condition of patients is to some extent alleviated and their quality of life improves.

Treatment is predominantly etiotropic and involves the prescription of drugs that reduce the reproductive capabilities of the virus. In particular, these include the following drugs:

• nucleoside transcriptase inhibitors (otherwise known as NRTIs), corresponding to various groups: Ziagen, Videx, Zerit, combination drugs (combivir, trizivir);
• nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (otherwise known as NTRTIs): stocrine, viramune;
• fusion inhibitors;
• protease inhibitors.

An important point when deciding whether to start antiviral therapy is to take into account such factors as the duration of taking such drugs, and they can be used almost for life. The successful result of such therapy is ensured solely by strict adherence by patients to the recommendations regarding administration (regularity, dosage, diet, regimen). As for secondary diseases associated with HIV infection, their treatment is carried out in a complex manner, taking into account the rules aimed at the pathogen that provoked the specific disease; accordingly, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial drugs are used.

In case of HIV infection, the use of immunostimulating therapy is excluded, because it only contributes to the progression of HIV. Cytostatics prescribed in such cases for malignant neoplasms lead to immunosuppression.

Drugs are used in the treatment of HIV-infected patients restorative action, as well as means that provide support for the body (dietary supplements, vitamins); in addition, methods are used that are aimed at preventing the development of secondary diseases.

If we are talking about the treatment of HIV in patients suffering from drug addiction, then in this case treatment in the conditions of the appropriate type of dispensary is recommended. Also, given the serious psychological discomfort against the background of the current condition, patients often require additional psychological adaptation.

If you suspect that your HIV diagnosis is relevant, you should visit an infectious disease specialist.

HIV takes everything every year more lives. The number of infected people is not decreasing. The virus has been studied quite well by doctors and ways to prolong the patient’s life have been identified, although there is still no vaccine to treat HIV infection. It is known how HIV is transmitted; It is known that without treatment the disease progresses to the most severe stage - AIDS. To protect yourself from infection, you need to know how HIV is transmitted.

The main danger of the human immunodeficiency virus is the weakening of the immune system due to the destruction of its cells. The virus is detected only through laboratory tests.

How HIV is transmitted has long been known. The infection can be transmitted from person to person through body fluids: breast milk, blood, seminal fluid, vaginal fluid. For the virus to spread, contact with a carrier of the disease and a healthy person is necessary. Through this damage, virus cells enter the bloodstream and the person becomes infected.

HIV infection can be acquired in the following ways:

• sexual;
• parenteral;
• vertical (from mother to child).

There are also natural and artificial routes of infection.

Artificial routes of transmission of HIV infection include:

• (for example, for) without a sterilization process;
• transfusion of contaminated blood or components of this blood;
• organ or tissue transplantation from an HIV-infected donor;
• use of razors or other household appliances, .

Natural ways HIV transmission is associated with sexual contact, as well as with the mother-child system.

Infection with AIDS is impossible through ordinary household contact.

Sexual transmission of the disease

The most likely route of infection is sexual intercourse. The risk of becoming infected from an infected person is very high. When friction occurs, microdamages occur on the mucous membranes of the genitals. Through them, virus cells enter the blood of a healthy partner and begin their destructive effect. Unprotected sexual contact greatly increases the risk of infection. This is especially true for people who often change sexual partners.

The risk of developing a disease during anal sex is much higher than during traditional contact. There are no glands in the anal area capable of producing secretion. Anal sexual intercourse inevitably leads to microtrauma. The moment a condom breaks, you can easily become a carrier of the virus. A woman can get infected from infected man easier than the other way around.

If a couple is homosexual, then the risk of contracting HIV for the passive partner is higher than for the active partner. Among same-sex couples, lesbian sex is considered safe. Infection with a virus through a vibrator is unlikely. It is still recommended to wash the device with a hygiene product when using it together.

The probability of infection during regular sex without a condom with a carrier of the virus is one hundred percent.

The risk of HIV infection increases greatly if partners have ulcers, inflammatory processes on the mucous membranes of the genital organs, or if HIV infection is accompanied by sexually transmitted diseases.

Parenteral route of transmission of HIV infection

Over the past decade, the likelihood of contracting HIV through this route has decreased significantly. This risk of infection exists in people with drug addiction. Using one syringe for several people increases the likelihood of infection with the immunodeficiency virus.

There was a wide public outcry when in a hospital in the Stavropol Territory nurse gave injections to children, presumably with one syringe.

Visiting beauty salons at home increases the possibility of acquiring infection through contaminated manicure instruments. It is especially dangerous to use needles without treatment in tattoo parlors. Sterilization medical instruments eliminates the risk of infection.

Transfusion of blood that has not been tested in laboratory conditions also applies to the indicated route of transmission of the disease. On modern stage By developing a security system, this risk is minimized.

Vertical route of transmission of HIV infection

The myth that an exclusively sick child is born from a pregnant mother who is HIV-positive has been debunked. The likelihood of a child becoming infected from an HIV-infected mother is quite high.

Vertical path transmission of the virus is possible from a sick mother to the fetus in utero; during the baby's birth canal or after birth, through breast milk.

But proper management of pregnancy and delivery reduces the risk. HIV infection in a pregnant woman is an indication for childbirth by caesarean section. If the baby is not infected in the womb, operative delivery protects it from infection in the birth canal.

Up to three years, the mother's antibodies remain in the child's blood. If after the indicated age the antibodies disappear, it means that the pregnant mother did not transmit the virus to the child.

At-risk groups

Risk groups for HIV infection include:

• persons with drug addiction;
• people who prefer disorderly sex life and not using barrier protection products;
• women with reduced social responsibility;
• prisoners serving sentences in colonies;
• medical workers who work in health care organizations that are intended for people with HIV-positive status;
• medical personnel who have direct contact with various biological fluids person;
• persons in need of organ or tissue transplantation, blood transfusion;
• whose mothers are HIV-positive.

Subject to the most simple rules hygiene and careful attention to professional duties, the chance of contracting HIV is minimal. Special attention Surgeons, dentists, and laboratory technicians who are at risk for HIV infection should take good care of their health.

There are people who, knowing about their HIV-positive status, deliberately engage in unprotected sex with a healthy partner. In Russia, criminal liability is provided for this act.

How not to get infected with HIV

• Probability of HIV infection in a household way exists only in theory. Viral cells are unstable in external environment. Practical sources do not describe a single case of household acquisition of the virus.
• HIV is not transmitted through saliva. Indeed, virus cells are found in saliva. However, their number is so small that it is not enough to cause infection.
• When hitting healthy skin No infection occurs through sweat or tears from an infected person.
• The immunodeficiency virus is not transmitted by airborne droplets.
• Risk of disease transmission to in public places, with handshakes and hugs is reduced to zero.
• The likelihood of inheriting HIV is also zero.
• The likelihood of infection is small, but it still exists if oral cavity one or both partners have bleeding wounds or scratches. There are only a few precedents recorded in the world when a person became infected orally.
• In principle, it is impossible to become infected with AIDS. AIDS is not a separate disease, it is the final stage of HIV infection, when the immune system completely depressed. The development of this stage can be avoided if you consult a doctor in a timely manner and follow all instructions.

HIV prevention

The methods of transmission of HIV are known. This article describes ways in which the likelihood of contracting HIV is minimal or zero. The main preventive measures are aimed at health education of the population. Subject to basic rules of behavior and hygiene, an infected person will not be at risk of becoming infected.