HIV/Aids

HIV/AIDS - from Natural Standard
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that potentially causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). HIV primarily attacks the immune defense system, making the patient extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections, which are infections that occur in people who have weakened immune systems.

HIV and cervical cancer
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that connects the uterus to the vagina (birth canal). Cervical cancer develops when the cells in the cervix become abnormal and start to grow uncontrollably. The tissue that results from this growth is called a tumor.

Heart disease and HIV/AIDS
Patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an increased risk of developing heart disease. Among the most common heart problems associated with HIV are pericarditis (inflamed sac surrounding the heart), endocarditis (infection of the lining inside the heart), cancer that affects the heart, pulmonary high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Gastrointestinal symptoms of HIV
Patients who have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) commonly experience gastrointestinal (digestive) complications, including oral lesions, esophageal lesions, diarrhea, and anorectal diseases (disease that affects the anus and/or rectum).

Fever and rash in HIV
Nearly all patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experience a fever and skin rash at some point after diagnosis.

Depression and HIV
Depression, a mental illness that causes many emotional, physical, and behavioral problems, is characterized by feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, loss of pleasure, apathy, and sometimes, difficulty functioning. When these problems persist for at least two weeks and interfere with daily activities, it is classified as clinical depression, which is also called major depressive disorder (MDD).

AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis
Cryptococcus neoformans, a type of microscopic yeast that is found worldwide, can cause pulmonary infections that can potentially spread to other areas of the body. This infection is called cryptococcosis. Individuals who are immunocompromised, especially HIV/AIDS patients, are more susceptible to developing the infection.

Pulmonary aspergillosis and HIV/AIDS
The Aspergillus fungus causes aspergillosis pulmonary infections. Although there are more than 100 Aspergillus species, most human illnesses are caused by Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger and, less frequently, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus clavatus.

Adolescents with HIV
Each year, about four million people younger than 20 years old are diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including herpes, human papilomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In the United States, it is estimated that 50% of the 40,000 new HIV infections each year occur in people younger than 25 and 25% occur in people younger than 21.

Protease inhibitors
Protease inhibitors (PIs) disrupt the replication of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). These drugs interfere with the protease enzyme that HIV uses to produce infectious viral particles. When protease is blocked, the new copies of HIV are not formed properly, and they are unable to infect new cells.

Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and HIV/AIDS
Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (formerly called Pneumocystis carinii or PCP) is the most common opportunistic infection that occurs in AIDS patients. Originally, researchers thought a one-cell organism (protozoan) called Pneumocystis carinii caused the disease, but recent research suggests that a fungus called Pneumocystis jiroveci causes the pneumonia. However, the condition is still commonly referred to as PCP.

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), also called non-nucleoside analogues, are a type of medication called antiretrovirals. They are used to treat patients with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). These drugs interfere with the virus' ability to multiply. Although they are not curative, these drugs have been shown to effectively slow the replication of the virus in the body when taken in combination with other antiretrovirals. As a result, the patient's immune system is strengthened and the patient has an increased life expectancy.

Modifying antiretroviral therapy (ART)
Once an HIV patient starts taking anti-HIV drugs (antiretrovirals), medication is life long. However, modifications in the dose or type of antiretroviral may be required if the patient experiences toxic effects from the drug or if the patient develops a medical condition such as an infection. Treatment may also need to be changed if the patient develops drug resistance. Once a patient becomes resistant to a drug, the medication is no longer effective, even if it is taken in the future.

AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma
Sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops in connective tissues like bone, cartilage, fat, blood vessels, muscle or fibrous tissues (related to tendons or ligaments).

Initial antiretroviral therapy for HIV
There is debate among researchers and healthcare professionals over when anti-HIV medications (antiretrovirals) should be started in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although these medications have been shown to effectively suppress the virus from replicating inside the body, they can also cause severe side effects, including liver damage and neuropathy (nerve damage). Therefore, when patients are diagnosed with HIV, they should discuss the risks and benefits of all treatment options with their healthcare providers.

HIV treatment interruptions
Structured treatment interruptions (STIs), also called structured intermittent therapy (SIT) or drug holiday, describes scheduled breaks in drug regimens for HIV.

Serological tests for HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The retrovirus primarily attacks the immune defense system, making the patient extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections.

HIV and pregnancy
The human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV, is a virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The incurable virus attacks the body's immune system, making the body extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections (infections that occur in patients who have weakened immune systems).

Preventing HIV-associated opportunistic infections
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The retrovirus primarily attacks the body's immune system, making the patient extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections.

HIV-associated lipodystrophy
Lipodystrophy, or fat redistribution syndrome, is a disorder of the adipose (fatty) tissues that causes changes in the body shape due to loss and/or accumulation of body fat. Metabolic changes may also occur, causing increased resistance to insulin and abnormally high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

HIV and pancreatitis
Patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an increased risk of developing pancreatitis, a severe inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis occurs when the digestive enzymes in the organ become active too soon. Instead of becoming active in the intestines, they become active inside the pancreas, where they can cause organ damage.

HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN)
HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) is a type of kidney disease that occurs in patients who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIVAN is characterized by high levels of protein in the urine, high levels of nitrogenous (waste) products in the blood, and scarring or hardening of blood vessels in the kidneys (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis). Patients with HIVAN often suffer from symptoms such as increased urination, excessive thirst, and fatigue.

T-cell lymphocyte
T-cells, also called thymus cells or thymocytes, are a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. They help fight against disease and infection.

HIV and fungal infections
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The retrovirus primarily attacks the immune defense system, making the body extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections, including fungal infections. Opportunistic infections occur in individuals who have weakened immune systems.

HIV/AIDS clinical trials
A clinical trial is a research study in volunteer human subjects to determine the safety and efficacy of new treatments, screening methods, preventive techniques, or diagnostic methods for a disease. New devices, drugs, procedures, and medical innovations must be thoroughly tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for human patients. Human trials are only conducted after both laboratory and animal studies show promising results.

Healthcare workers exposed to HIV/AIDS
The human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV infection, is a retrovirus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The retrovirus primarily attacks the body's immune system, making the patient extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections (infections that occur in individuals with weakened immune systems).

Fusion inhibitors (FIs)
Fusion inhibitors (FIs) are a type of antiretroviral medication that helps prevent HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) from entering and infecting human cells. Although they are not curative, these drugs have shown to effectively slow the replication of the virus in the body when taken in combination with other antiretrovirals.

Endocrine manifestations of HIV
Patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an increased risk of developing endocrine abnormalities. The endocrine system is a group of organs that secretes hormones into the bloodstream to regulate bodily functions. The endocrine system includes the adrenal glands, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, and gonads (ovaries and testes).

Cytomegalovirus retinitis
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common viral infection that is related to herpes. Like many other herpes viruses, CMV remains latent in healthy hosts, which means the virus remains dormant inside the individual. Even though the virus is present, no signs or symptoms of illness appear during this stage. However, if diseases, transplants or chemotherapy compromise the host's immune system, the CMV may reactivate, causing the individual to become ill.

CD4 T-cell count in HIV patients
The human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV infection, is a retrovirus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The retrovirus primarily attacks the body's immune system, making the patient extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections (infections that occur in immunocompromised individuals).

AIDS-related lymphoma
Lymphoma describes a group of cancers that affect the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune defense system. This type of cancer may develop when lymphocytes are not produced properly, causing abnormal cells to accumulate either by duplicating faster or living longer than normal. When these abnormal cells accumulate, they displace normal lymphocytes.

Substance abuse and HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV infection, is a retrovirus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The retrovirus primarily attacks the body's immune system, making the body extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections (infections that occur in immunocompromised individuals).

HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy (PN)
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a nervous system disorder that causes numbness, tingling, or burning, especially in the hands and feet. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when there is damage to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system contains nerves in the body that are outside of the brain and spinal cord. Many of these nerves are involved with sensations of external stimuli, such as pain and temperature.

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are a class of antiretroviral drugs that are used to treat HIV patients.

Mucormycosis
Mucormycosis, also known as zygomycosis, is an aggressive, opportunistic fungal infection of the sinuses, skin, gastrointestinal tract, brain or lungs that usually affects individuals who are immunocompromised.

HIV-associated mycobacterium avium complex
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), or mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI), is a bacterial infection that is caused by either Mycobacterium avium or Mycobacterium intracellulare. These bacteria are very common. They are present in water, soil, dust and food. In fact, these bacteria are present in almost every human. However, a healthy immune system will prevent the bacteria from causing an infection. Therefore, individuals with a weakened immune system, especially HIV/AIDS patients, are at risk of developing MAC.

HIV and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome
Immune reconstitution occurs when a patient's impaired immune system function is restored. For instance, HIV patients have suppressed immune systems that are unable to adequately fight against infections and diseases, making them extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections (infections that occur in individuals with weakened immune systems). When an infectious organism enters the body of an immunocompromised HIV patient, the inflammatory process is inhibited. Therefore, HIV patients receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), which helps stop the retrovirus from multiplying and subsequently repairs the body's immune system.

Immunizations and HIV
Individuals who have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have weakened immune systems, making them susceptible to infections. Therefore, several vaccinations, or immunizations, are often recommended in HIV patients to prevent serious illnesses.

Organ transplants and HIV/AIDS
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), a combination of drugs used to suppress HIV, enables HIV-infected individuals to live longer lives. Today, most patients are dying from end-stage organ disease and organ failure rather than AIDS-associated opportunistic infections. Since HAART prolongs the lives of HIV patients, it is possible for chronic conditions to progress to organ failure.

Factors affecting HIV progression
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The retrovirus primarily attacks the immune defense system, making the body extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Opportunistic infections occur in individuals who are immunocompromised (have weakened immune systems).

HIV global pandemic
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The retrovirus primarily attacks the immune defense system, making the body extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections.

HIV-associated vacuolar myelopathy
Myelopathy is a term used to describe any disease that affects the spinal cord, which can result in loss of mobility or sensation. HIV-associated myelopathy is the leading cause of spinal cord disease in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) patients.

Blood transfusion and HIV/AIDS
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The retrovirus primarily attacks the immune defense system, making the body extremely vulnerable to opportunistic infections. The first reported case of HIV occurred in 1981.

HIV and lung cancer
Lung cancer, also known as bronchogenic carcinoma ("carcinoma" means cancer), is the most fatal form of cancer, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2003, lung cancer accounted for more deaths than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer combined in the United States.

Toxoplasmosis and HIV
Toxoplasmosis (toxo) is a parasitic infection that is caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii.

Surgery and HIV/AIDS
Patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may require surgery to treat infections and diseases associated with the condition. HIV infects white blood cells called CD4 cells. Since white blood cells are the main component of the immune system, HIV patients have an increased risk of developing infections.