AIDS - What is AIDS?

What Is AIDS?

AIDS refers to the final stage of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection at which the virus severely weakens the body's immune system. HIV is a sexually transmitted disease (STDs). HIV is a lentivirus which means a "slow virus"). This lentivirus is a member of the retrovirus family which slowly attacks and destroys the immune system. This leads to a variety of other common infections and makes people vulnerable to death.

Historical Background of AIDS

In 1982, researchers coined the term "AIDS" as they realized the impact of the virus beyond its earlier connection to certain groups of people.

• On June 5, 1981, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report that five gay men in Los Angeles had a rare type of lung infection called Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

• Initially, some researchers linked it to specific groups (homosexuals), hence the name Gay-Related Immune Deficiency Syndrome (GRID).

• The disease was commonly referred to in the media as the gay plague.

• The disease was later identified in IDU, women who have male sexual partners.

• As a result, the term "acquired immune deficiency syndrome," or AIDS, was introduced in 1982.

• By 1984, researchers working in Africa provided clear evidence of heterosexual transmission of HIV.

Causes of AIDS

AIDS is caused by HIV infection. This happens when an individual develops HIV that attacks CD4 cells, known as T cells. The disease eventually becomes AIDS if it is not treated. The causes of AIDS are described below:

• Lack of Treatment: HIV, in the absence of treatment, progresses to AIDS after around 10 to 15 years.

• Co-infections: Other infections or diseases can add up to the harm that HIV has caused to the body.

• Malnutrition: A weak body due to malnutrition makes it harder for people to resist infections.

Stages and Symptoms of AIDS

The symptoms of AIDS can vary greatly depending on the stage of HIV infection. The following table is a summary of the stages and their symptoms:

Transmission of AIDS

AIDS is not spread through the air, water, or even from touching someone. It is obtained from particular body fluids:

Modes of Transmissions

• Unprotected sexual intercourse

• Transfusion of infected blood

• Sharing contaminated needles/syringes

• Mother to child (pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding)

• Vaginal and rectal fluids

Prevention of AIDS

Prevention of the passage of HIV and therefore AIDS entails several techniques:

Difference Between HIV and AIDS

Understanding that there's a difference between HIV and AIDS is important for awareness:

Myths and Facts About AIDS

Some of the facts about AIDS are:

• Most people believe that HIV can be transmitted by casual contact like hugging, kissing, touching, saliva, or other casual contact but it is false.

• It spreads through semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.

• Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U): If the person living with HIV is on treatment and has an undetectable viral load, they are not able to transmit the virus sexually

AIDS NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

Important questions asked in NEET from this topic are:

• Stages of AIDS

• Modes of transmission

• Prevention of AIDS

Practice Questions for NEET

Q1. The causative organism of AIDS spreads by

1. Sharing infected needles and syringes

2. Transfusion of infected blood

3. Unsafe sexual relationships

4. All of these

Correct answer: 4) All of these

Explanation:

The HIV can spread by:

(a) sexual contact with an infected person

(b) by transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products,

(c) by sharing infected needles as in the case of intravenous drug abusers and

(d) from the infected mother to her child through the placenta.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) All of these.

Q2. A certain patient is suspected to be suffering from Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. Which diagnostic technique will you recommend for its detection?

1. ELISA

2. MRI

3. Ultrasound

4. WIDAL

Correct answer: 1) ELISA

Explanation:

The preferred diagnostic method for AIDS is ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), which is primarily used to identify HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection, the cause of AIDS.

ELISA: This test is frequently used for preliminary screening to identify HIV antibodies in a patient's blood. A confirmation test, such as the Western Blot or PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test, is usually performed if the test results are positive. The ELISA test is popular, dependable, and capable of identifying HIV antibodies, a sign of viral exposure.

Ultrasound and MRI are not suitable diagnostic methods for identifying HIV or AIDS. Ultrasound and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) are commonly used to check for anomalies, including tumours or organ malfunction, in body structures or organs.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1)ELISA.

Q3. The abbreviation AIDS stands for

1. Acquired immune disease syndrome

2. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

3. Acquired immunity-determining syndrome

4. Acquired immunity delay syndrome

Correct answer: 2) Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Explanation:

The abbreviation AIDS, which is short for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, refers to a medical condition that arises as a consequence of infection with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). This virus specifically targets and decimates CD4 cells, a critical component of the human immune system known as white blood cells. As the infection progresses over time, the individual's immune response becomes significantly impaired due to the depletion of these essential cells. This severe compromise in the body's defence mechanisms renders the patient highly susceptible to various opportunistic infections and particular types of cancers that typically do not affect individuals with a robust immune system.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Also Read:

• MCQs on HIV and AIDS

• Bacterial Diseases

• Role of Antibodies

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