Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus which infects humans and can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV is passed most commonly through sexual contact, however it can also be passed through blood transfusions, from mother to child during pregnancy and through sharing needles between intravenous drug users.
The HIV virus requires a human cell to replicate, or to make more of itself. The cell in the body that the HIV virus mainly infects is the CD4 T lymphocyte, a white blood cell which lives in the blood (as well as other organs) and is extremely important in regulating the immune system. In other words, this cell helps the human body to protect itself from infection so that illnesses or infections such as a cold or the flu do not usually result in death. The reason HIV can be fatal is because the cell it infects is so important in its role in protecting the body. Infection of these cells prevents their ability to perform their usual function and ultimately will cause these cells to die. As each infected cell dies, more of the virus are released to infect more cells. Over time, as more cells throughout the body become infected, the result is an ineffective immune system which cannot protect itself against common infections. The progression of HIV to the disease known as AIDS is the result, which is defined by the presence of a number of infections which are normally controlled in humans.
At this stage there is no vaccine or cure for HIV or AIDS. However, improvement of the different treatments for HIV over the past few decades have meant that this infection can be controlled in most cases. This means people infected with HIV live with a good quality of life for many decades when treated. Treatment for HIV is known as antiretroviral therapy or ART, which simply means treatment against (anti) the HIV virus which is a retrovirus (therefore termed retroviral). The current treatments work by preventing the HIV virus from infecting cells. They do this by either preventing the virus from entering host cells, or by preventing new HIV viruses from forming within the cell. The different treatments are grouped into different 'classes' according to how they work against the virus. Treatment for HIV currently usually involves using three or more medications from at least two different classes (or which work in different ways against HIV) at the same time, to get the best effect. This approach is termed HAART or highly active antiretroviral therapy. The aim with this treatment is to target the virus in as many ways as possible to prevent further replication of the virus.
A simple blood test can be used to detect HIV infection. The number of HIV viruses, as well as the number of host cells (CD4 lymphocytes) present in the blood can both be measured and used to indicate and monitor the extent of HIV infection.
Practicing safe sex means to use condoms. This is important because it prevents the spread of HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and hepatitis. If you are HIV positive and do not practice safe sex, you could be infected with a different form of the HIV virus which could worsen your prognosis. Other steps to remember are:
Many of the doctors at Holdsworth House Medical Practice specialise in HIV /AIDS care and treatment. Please contact us for an appointment.
Holdsworth House Medical Practice also conducts many clinical research studies investigating treatment, monitoring and the long term health of patients with HIV. Please contact our Clinical Research Department for further information or if you would like to participate or email trials@holdsworthhouse.com.au.
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