AIDS

AIDS is caused by HIV infection leading to immunodeficiency with opportunistic infections/tumors and possible death. HIV targets CD4+ T cells. Average incubation 12-13 years; carriers may appear healthy for years.

Common Symptoms

Hypoxemia; inflammation; fever; diarrhea; HIV infection; night sweats; abdominal pain; sepsis; cyanosis

Causes and Pathogenesis

Etiology: HIV (Retroviridae/Lentivirus), types 1 and 2. HIV-1 global, spherical 100-120 nm, core (2 ssRNA strands, reverse transcriptase/integrase/protease) + envelope. Highly variable; non-compliant therapy drives resistance. HIV-2 in West Africa. HIV fragile outside body: 56°C/30 min or 100°C/20 min inactivates; 75% ethanol/0.2% NaOCl/1% glutaraldehyde kill; UV/gamma rays don't. Epidemiology: WHO 2010: 34 million living with HIV, 2.7 million new, 1.8 million deaths; 97% in low/middle-income countries, Africa worst. China 2011: ~780,000 living, 48,000 new, 28,000 deaths. Source: HIV-infected persons. Transmission: sexual (homo/hetero), IV drug sharing, mother-to-child, blood/blood products. Casual contact doesn't transmit. Pathogenesis: lymphadenopathy, spleen lymphocyte depletion, pediatric thymic involution; opportunistic infections (viral/bacterial/fungal/protozoal) and malignancies (Kaposi/lymphoma/cervical cancer). CD4+ decline stages: acute (transient drop), asymptomatic (800-350/mm³, ~8 years), symptomatic (<350, late <200). Th1→Th2 shift, IL-2 drop, abnormal immune activation (CD69/CD38/HLA-DR).

Treatment

Drug therapy, supportive therapy

Preventive Measures

Sexual morality; condoms; treat STDs; refuse drugs; avoid unnecessary transfusion; screened blood. Vaccines (gp120) in trials; block mother-to-child transmission with ART/AI. Health education; no shared needles; HIV testing of blood donors/organ/semen; condom promotion; HIV-positive women avoid pregnancy/breastfeeding.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Infectious Diseases department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.