AIDS stands for Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome. It is caused by retrovirus – HIV or Human Immuno-deficiency Virus. It was first detected in June 1981 in the USA. This virus weakens the human body’s immunity or self defence mechanism. Since, AIDS virus reduces the natural immunity of human body, therefore, the body having AIDS become prone to many other infections.
Modes of transmission are as follows:
(i) It spreads through sexual contact with an infected person, carrying AIDS virus.
(ii) It spreads through the transfusion of blood, infected with AIDS virus.
(iii) The children of AIDS infected mother get this disease from mother’s blood.
(iv) It spreads through the use of infected needles for injections, blades or razors and other equipment of barbers.
Symptoms:
(i) Swollen lymph nodes.
(ii) Severe brain damage which may lead to loss of memory, ability to speak and think.
(iii) Decreased count of blood platelets, causing haemorrhage and continuous fever.
(iv) Sweating at night and weight loss.
(v) AIDS patient also becomes more susceptible to infections of any system of body.
(vi) Ulcers, prolonged cough, repeated diarrhoea.
(vii) A full-blown AIDS patient dies within three years and mortality is 100%.
Prevention:
1. No absolutely satisfactory vaccine is yet available.
We can only prevent AIDS from the following preventive measures:
1. Using condoms and adopting clean sex habits.
2. The common razor at the barber’s shop should not be used.
3. Dentists should use sterilised instruments.
4. The blood test must be done in pregnant women, blood donors, organ donors, etc.
5. People should be educated about AIDS.
Control:
1. Till today there is no specific therapy, against HIV infection.
2. World AIDS Day: December 01
3. HIV infection has been reported in all states and union territories of India except Arunachal Pradesh.
4. National AIDS control programme was started in 1987.
