HIV/AIDS: Overview, Transmission, Prevention, and Treatment

Study Notes

Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases refer to illnesses that spread from person to person through contact with infected people, animals, food, water, or other vectors. These diseases can have serious consequences if not prevented or treated promptly. Here is some information on communicable diseases, specifically HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS Overview

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, attacks the immune system and weakens the body's ability to fight off common infections. If left untreated, it progresses to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), which leads to numerous opportunistic infections and cancer. HIV infection occurs when cells of the immune system called T-helper cells (CD4+) are killed by the virus, leaving the individual susceptible to various infections.

Transmission

HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person, sharing needles contaminated with infected blood, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. However, transmission rates vary depending on the mode of transmission:

Mode of Transmission	Risk Per Contact
Sex without protection	0.06% - 0.12%
Sharing contaminated needles	Up to 2.7%
Mother to child	15% - 30%
Occupational exposure	0.3%

Rates may differ between developed and developing countries based on access to prevention methods, treatment for co-infections, and overall healthcare quality.

Prevention

Preventing the spread of HIV involves several steps, including promoting safer sex practices, reducing needle use among drug users, and early diagnosis and treatment. Some key interventions include:

Education: Educating individuals on how HIV is spread and ways to prevent it can help reduce transmission rates.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): PrEP medications can lower the risk of catching HIV, especially among high-risk individuals.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART): ART can help suppress the viral load in those already infected, making them less likely to transmit HIV to others.
Vaccines: Although there is currently no vaccine to protect against HIV, ongoing efforts are being made to develop one.

Treatment

Since HIV does not have a cure, treatment focuses on managing the condition and reducing the risk of transmission. ART is used to slow the progression of the disease, reduce the viral load, and improve the quality of life for infected individuals.

Impact of HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS has had a significant impact on global health, causing orphanhood, loss of human capital, and decreased economic productivity. In 2020, there were approximately 38 million people living with HIV worldwide, with 1.5 million new infections and 680,000 deaths from the disease. The disease disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations, including women, children, and marginalized communities.

In conclusion, communicable diseases, specifically HIV/AIDS, pose a significant threat to global health. However, through education, prevention efforts, and access to treatment, it is possible to reduce the spread and impact of these diseases.

Description

Learn about HIV/AIDS, including how the virus attacks the immune system, modes of transmission, prevention methods such as education and antiretroviral therapy, and the impact of the disease on global health.