Perhaps everyone has heard about this disease. It is unlikely that anyone will argue that it is one of the worst phenomena of our time. You could even say that AIDS has changed our world. Thousands of mutilated lives - this is the trace that he left behind him.
AIDS in modern society is called differently: a wound, and a curse of the 21st century, and a punishment for the sins of mankind, but above all, it is a disease that requires not high-sounding names, but effective treatment.
The first references to AIDS in the press were in 1981. Then the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which is located in the United States, became interested in this disease.
AIDS is an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The immune system of a person with AIDS gradually ceases to protect the body from pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, an AIDS patient is easily infected with a wide variety of viral infections and can die from them.
HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus that multiplies in the human body and causes the development of infection. The last stage of HIV infection is AIDS. An infected person can avoid this last stage if they detect the infection in time and start taking antiretroviral drugs.
HIV infection and AIDS have practically encircled the entire planet. 36.5 million people have already been infected, a third of them in children and adolescents. Every minute five young people become infected with the virus.
The main symptom is enlarged lymph nodes.
Symptoms of AIDS that are characteristic of the early stages of the disease:
- general weakness;
- headache;
- a very high degree of fatigue;
- sudden weight loss of more than 8% for no apparent reason;
- A long period (one month or more) of intestinal upset;
- high temperature for more than one month, which has no explanation;
- a cough that has become chronic and lasts more than one month;
- chronic prolonged pneumonia, which is not amenable to traditional treatment;
- pneumonia resistant to conventional therapy.
Quite often, people do not pay any attention to these “bells”, because the symptoms of AIDS are very similar to signs of flu or poisoning. Moreover, they are not found in all infected people and can quickly disappear.
Therefore, if a person observes the above symptoms of AIDS, he must immediately donate blood for a special analysis. Such an analysis is done twice, at intervals of several weeks, to avoid errors.
How does AIDS manifest?
The maximum life expectancy of a person with HIV infection is about 15 years, rarely - 20 years.
Against the background of damage to the immune system, such diseases can develop:
- candidiasis - a fungal disease that affects the mucous tissues of the throat, vagina, anus, digestive tract;
- Streptococcal meningitis is a disease that affects the brain. It has the following symptoms: impaired vision, headaches, speech impairment;
- herpes - vesicles near the mouth, in the genital area and anus. In AIDS patients, herpes spreads throughout the body and is accompanied by very severe itching.
How to protect yourself from becoming infected with HIV?
You can get infected in a variety of ways, but to protect yourself is still real.
Everything is quite simple:
- you must use protective equipment during sexual intercourse, be critical in choosing your sexual partners;
- Strictly observe all hygiene rules, do not use other people's personal hygiene items;
- not to use drugs, in particular, intramuscularly;
- lead a healthy lifestyle.
You need to know the symptoms of AIDS. One mistake can cripple the fate of a person, as well as his family and friends. Caution should always be in the first place. Life is worth living from beginning to end.