HIV   means human immuno deficiency virus infection.

AIDS means acquired immuno deficiency syndrome.

People affected with HIV/AIDS are about 34 millions

in the world.

HIV/AIDS is a disease affecting the humans due to HIV virus.

SYMPTOMS

The initial or first stage of the disease is called acute

 where the symptoms will be brief flu like illness

lasting for few days generally.

Then it may develop to chronic prolonged stage with or

 without heavy flu like fever. If proper treatment is not

given in the first stage ,it develops to the stage of AIDS,

with occurrence of specific diseases in combination with HIV.

The main symptoms of AIDS are respiratory tract infections

esophageal candidiasis,caehexia and pnemosystis-

pnemonia.

HIV/AIDS is not caused due to faces, nasal secretions,

sputum. urine ,salvia..

CAUSES.

HIV is transmitted mainly through sexual contacts

 With hiv infected persons, heterosexual contacts.

The second is via contaminated blood, and blood

products through needles sharing by  injections,

unsterilised needles.

,Blood transmission during injection due to contaminated blood.

 From mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or

breast milk,where the mother is effected with HIV

PREVENTION

HIV infection can be prevented mainly through

safe sex, needle exchange programs and by

avoiding breast feeding.

DIAGNOSIS.

People suspecting HIV symptoms should immediately undergo

Pathological laboratory tests .The main investigations.

are HIV-RNA,DNA-p24 antigen pcr testing. HIV tests

 are classified  based on CD4count and  clinical symptoms..

Stage 1&2CD count indicate HIV condition and stage 3 CD4

count indicates severe condition leading to AIDS.

TREATMENT.

There is no vaccine for prevention of HIV/AIDS.

The popular treatment is high active antiretroviral

therpy,HAART, which is helping a lot in curing the disease.

To a considerable extent.this treatment is recommended

In patients with CD4 count less than 350/ul.

Now a days various forms of complementary /alternative

medicines are tried.Ayurveda treatment is popular

 among them. Micronutrient supplements,selenium,zinc

vitamin -a combination medicines for building up résistance.

 In general positive thinking, confidence, firm will

to survive are essential for improvement in the treatment.

Social organizations and media should give

 encouragement to such people and should avoid

discrimination against people affected with HIV/AIDS.