
One of the most common sexually transmitted disease is the acquired immune deficiency simply called as AIDS. It can also be referred to as the acquired immunodeficiency syndromes. This syndrome is caused by a virus known as the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV and is responsible for the weakening of the human immune system. This disorder makes a person greatly susceptible to a lot of tumors and prospective infections.
Transmission of the virus can be made possible through different ways of contact. The type of contact where transmission occurs most easily is through direct sexual contact most especially if it is unsafe. Direct contact of the body’s mucous membrane or the bloodstream with bodily fluids that contain the HIV virus initiates transmission. Examples of Bodily fluids include the semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk and blood. Studies show that the receptive partner is more susceptible to HIV transmission than the partner who inserts. In addition, the virus is transmitted more easily when the contact is through anal intercourse rather than the vaginal intercourse. Other ways of transmission is oral sex, the exchange of fluids or nutrients from the mother to a baby in the uterus, childbirth, breastfeeding and transfusion of blood.
The symptoms of AIDS include pulmonary and gastrointestinal infections, neurological and psychiatric effects, tumors, malignancies and a lot more. The primary signs of AIDS would be the occurrence of opportunistic infections that damage almost every organ system in the body. Bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi, which can normally be controlled by the body’s immune system, cause these infections. In addition the development of cancers including cervical cancer, lymphoma and Kaposi’s sarcoma, in people suffering from AIDS is usually observed.
The occurrence of fever, chills, weight loss, weakness and sweating during the night are also additional symptoms that AIDS patients experience. A pulmonary infection called as Pneumocystis pneumonia serve as a sign for this syndrome. Tuberculosis is also another common infection brought about by HIV. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, tuberculosis with HIV co-infection, or TB/HIV, is one of the major cases observed in AIDS patients at present.
According to the World Health Organization, there are four stages that people suffering from HIV. During the first stage, infection is considered as asymptotic therefore, is not classified as AIDS. The second stage would involve recurrent upper respiratory tract infections as well as mucocutaneous symptoms. When a person already suffers from chronic diarrhea for more than one month, alongside with serious bacterial infections and pulmonary tuberculosis, that person is already considered to be in Stage III. The last stage would be signaled by the occurrence of Kaposi’s sarcoma, brain toxoplasmosis and candidiasis of the lungs, trachea, esophagus or bronchi.
Being aware of the disease and its symptoms would really be a good start for anyone who has no idea about AIDS. Information serves as an alarm for all the people, most especially the sexually active ones, to take extra care of themselves. Information, as well as proper and routine check-ups at nearby STD clinics, would prove to be very valuable in combating the problem.
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