HIV/AIDS Overview and HIV/ AIDS Transmission

HIV/ AIDS Overview

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection has now spread to every country in the world.
Statistic show that approimately 40 million are currently living with HIV infection, and an estimated 25 million have died from this disease. The scourage of HIV has been particularly devastating in sub-saharan africa and south africa, but infection rates in other countries remain high, In the united states, approximately 1 million people are currently infected. here are a few key points about the disease:

• Globally, 85% of HIV transmission is through heterosexual intercourse.
• In the united states. approximately one-third of new diagnose appear to be related to heterosexual transmission. male to male sexual contact still accounts for more than half of new diagnose in the U.S Intravenous drug use contribute to the remaining cases. Because the diagnose may occur years after infection, it is likely that a higher propotion of recent infections are due to heterosexual transmission.
• Infection in women are increasing . Worldwide, 42 % of people with HIV are women. In the unted states , approximately 25 % of new diagnoses are in women, and the propotion is rising.
• There is good news on the front. New HIV infection in U.S. Children have fallen dramatically. this is largely a result of testing and treating infected mothers as well asa establishing uniform testing guidelines for blood products.

In order to understand HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), it is important to understand the meanings behind these terms.

• HIV stands for the human immunodeficiency virus. It is one of a group of viruses known as retroviruses. After getting into body, the virus kills or damages cells of the body's immune system. The body tries to keep up by making new cells or trying to contain the virus, but eventually the HIV wins out and progressively destroys the body's ability to fight and certain cancers.
• The virus structure has been studied extensively, and this has helped scientist develop new treatment for HIV/ AIDS. Although all HIV viruses are similar, small varations or mutations in the genetic material of the virus create drug-Resistand viruses. Larger variations in the viral genes are found in different viral subtypes. Currently, HIV-1 is the predominal subtype that causes HIV/ AIDS.

HIV/ AIDS Transmission

HIV is transmitted when the virus enters the body, usually by injecting infected cells or semen. There are several possibles ways in which the virus can enter.

• Most commonly, HIV infection is spread by having sex with an infected partner. The virus can enter the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth during sex. Although intercourse is the primary risk factor, oral sex transmission is also possible.
• HIV frequently spreads among injections-drug users who share needles or syringe that are contaminated with blood from an infected person.
• Women can transmit HIV to their babies during pregnancy or birth, when infected maternal cells enter the baby's circulation, or through breastfeeding.
• HIV can be spread in helath-care seetings through accidental needle sticks or contact with contaminated fluids.
• Very rarely, HIV spreads through transfusion of contaminated blood or blood components. All blood products are tested to minimize this risk. If tissues or organs from infectedperson are transpalanted, the recipient may acquire HIV. donors are now tested for HIV to minimize this risk.
• HIV has been spread when organs from infected person are transplanted into uninfected recipient. Because donors are tested for HIV routinely in the united states, this does not usually happen. However, a recent incident in taiwan occured when the HIV test results for the donor were mistakenly thought to have been negative.
• People who already have a sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydial infection, human papillomavirus. (HPV), gonnorhea, or bacterial vaginosis, are more likely to cquire HIV infection during sex with an infected partner.

*** The virus not spread through casual contact such as preparing food, sharing towels and bedding, or via swimming pools, telephones, or toilet seats. The virus is also unlikely to be spread by contact with saliva, unless it is conatminated with blood.