AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (English title: Acquired-Immune-Deficiency-Syndrome). Disease induced by HTLV-UI LAV virus, a retrovirus that selectively infects T lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells that express a particular viral receptor. Autoimmune reaction when added to the action of the virus causes the destruction of infected cells and the subsequent disintegration of the entire immune system. Those who contract AIDS infected and then become susceptible to many infections, especially fungal, protozoan and viral infections, and to particular types of cancer (Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphoma nonHodgkin) since the lowering of the powers of defense. the first cases of disease have been reported in the early '80s in the United States. Currently the disease is widespread in almost all Western countries, in Africa, the United States and South America. those "at risk" are homosexuals, drug addicts and those who frequent casual sex. The infection occurs through contact with body fluids (semen, vaginal secretions, blood) of carriers of the virus. It can also infection of the fetus transplacentally (about 20% of the children of mothers infected with HIV during pregnancy will be affected after infection). The virus survives, however, very little and is attacked from simple substances like hydrogen peroxide. In the past a number of cases is derived from the transfusion or infusion of blood products infected. The diagnosis is performed through a test that searches on the serum antibody virus, whose presence is defined seropositivity. The only sign of HIV infection and disease occurred in place, this phase may last many years and sometimes may not degenerate into illness. The next stage (lymphadenopathy or systemic LAS) is characterized dall'ingrossamento more lymph nodes and the absence of other clinical symptoms. Then comes the stage of full blown AIDS, characterized by progressive weakness, fever and opportunistic infections (swollen lymph nodes, herpex, salmonellosis echo.). Currently, therapy is not yet able to cure the disease and therefore the only weapon to control the infection is prevention.