HIV

Surveillance data reflects the diversity of the HIV & AIDS situation in Europe.

According to Avert (an international AIDS charity) a cumulative total of 219.374 HIV infections had been reported in 21 countries of Western Europe by the end of 2004. However, this considerably understated the true figure because not all HIV infections have been diagnosed or reported; this is partly because many people do not know they are infected. Also, “the three countries with the most extensive epidemics do not yet have  national reporting systems (Spain), do not report  from all regions (Italy) or started reporting only in  2003 (France).”

Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection is a virus that progressively destroys white blood cells called lymphocytes, causing Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other conditions that are caused by impaired immunity.

HIV changes the structure of the cells it attacks. It does this by incorporating its own genetic code into the cells that it infects, thereby becoming an integrated part of the cell.

The virus reproduces itself inside the cell, eventually destroying the cell and releasing new virus particles  which infect other lymphocytes and destroys them as well. The virus attaches to lymphocytes that have a receptor protein called CD4 in their outer membrane and are usually called helper T lymphocytes or  T – helper cells.  These T helper cells activate and co-ordinate other cells of the immune system to destroy invading organisms and cancerous cells. Because HIV destroys T – helper cells it weakens  the body’s system for protecting itself from infection and cancer.

A person who has the HIV virus will probably remain infected and be infectious for the duration of their life, and it can take many years for the person to develop AIDS.

Most people contract HIV through sexual intercourse with someone who is already infected. Therefore  vaginal or anal sex where small cuts, sores, ulceration or erosions are  present in either partner’s sexual organs which bodily fluids can enter, is particularly risky.

Oral sex may also be risky, if again bodily fluids enter the body.

Women who are infected may pass the virus on to their child during pregnancy, at birth or possibly through breast milk.

HIV transmission can also occur through sharing needles, as in drug users or by an accidental prick from an HIV contaminated needle.

The HIV virus is very fragile and is easily killed outside the body, and would be extremely difficult to pass on through everyday non-sexual contact.

Some people develop a fever, rashes, swollen lymph nodes and general illness a few weeks after contracting the virus. However the symptoms usually disappear after a few days or weeks, although the swollen lymph nodes may stay. Additional symptoms may then not appear for several years although the person becomes infectious soon after contracting the virus.

The distinctive infections or tumours that define AIDS include: swollen lymph nodes, a fever that comes and goes, general feeling of being unwell, fatigue, recurring diarrhoea, anaemia, oral  fungal infection (thrush), weight loss (wasting) is usually  a particular problem.

AIDS is defined as beginning when a low CD4 and lymphocyte count of less than 200 cells per microlitre of blood occurs, or there is the onset of an opportunistic infection such as pneumonia or cancers such as kaposi sarcoma.

A fairly simple blood test can detect HIV antibodies, however several weeks or months may have to elapse between infection with the virus and an antibody test proving positive.

For protection:

Wear latex gloves whenever there is  the possibility of contact with bodily fluids

Dispose of hollow needles safely

Drug  users should never share needles

Safe (protected) sex

With the development of new antiviral drugs and improved treatment methods a lot of people keep their physical and mental abilities for many years after diagnosis. However, AIDS has become a treatable condition but not a curable one.