Do you know why and how exactly do AIDS patients die? Find the facts related to death of AIDS patient.
Depending on how severe the infection at exposure is, patients usually develop symptoms at around 7 years after the entry of the virus.
Symptoms can be in the form of any single or multiple system involvement. Infection occurs which either does not respond to routine treatment because of resistant strains or, if it responds, it does so after a long time only to recur. Such repeated infections debilitate the body leading to death. The drugs too, often produce rare reactions in
AIDS patients not commonly seen otherwise. Some of the commonly encountered symptoms in HIV positive patients would be as follows.
RESPIRATORY | GASTROINTESTINAL | NERVOUS | SKIN |
| | | |
Cough | Persistent diarrhoea (by common and rare pathogens) | Headache | Xerosis (Dry Skin) |
Breathlessness | Difficulty in swallowing or eating | Altered Personality | Purpuric Spots |
Rapid Breathing | Perianal discomfort | Lethargy | Hair loss/ Greying of hair |
Blood stained cough | | Dementia | |
Effusions in Lung cavity | | Convulsions | Bacterial Viral infections Fungal |
| | Meningitis | |
| | Visual Impairment | |
[It is the causative organisms of these common symptoms, which are important in HIV positive].
There are a few conditions, which were extremely rare till now, the occurrence of which almost confirms AIDS and are called markers.
A few of these could be:
a) Recurrent/ widespread Herpes Zoster
b) Oesophageal Candidiasis
c) Kaposis Sarcoma in a young person
d) Oral Hairy Leucoplakia
Possible Treatments for AIDS
AIDS cannot be cured but there are certain medications that can help to treat the symptoms and complications caused due to HIV. There are some treatments available as well that can help to boost the immune system of the patient and reduce the intensity of complications that may develop. The factors like the readiness of patient, other health issues and the stage of the disease are considered by the doctor while planning the treatment.
There are various drugs available for treating the complications caused due to AIDS and HIV. But the progress of the health of the patient depends on taking the medicines the right way and as prescribed by the doctor. These drugs lessen and slowdown the spread of the
HIV virus in the body of the patient. Some patients may also have to cope with the side-effects but with right intervention and management it is possible to deal with these side-effects easily.
What are the Side-Effects of the Treatment?
It is possible to deal with the side-effects of the treatment with the help of doctors. Some patients may have to deal with side-effects like:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Reduced or loss of appetite
- Headache
- Fever
- Rashes
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Respiratory problems
Other severe side-effects may include side-effects like peripheral neuropathy, pancreatitis, burning sensation, ache in hands, legs, feet, arms, rashes, excessive tiredness etc.
How to Prevent Acquiring AIDS?
Although, treatments are available for disorders like AIDS, it cannot be cured. Therefore, precautions must be taken to prevent such disorders. Here are some tips which can be followed to avoid acquiring AIDS.
- Be faithful to your sex partner and have a faithful sex partner. Avoid methods of contraception that do not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases and use only the ones like condom which provide maximum protection.
- Stay away from intravenous drug abuse.
- Avoid abnormal methods of sex like anal or oral sex.
- Make sure you take blood from the donors who are thoroughly tested while taking blood transfusion.
- Prefer safer alternatives to sex like masturbation, petting, mutual masturbation etc.
- Make sure that your barber always uses a new blade while shaving or cutting your hair.
- Ensure that your doctor uses new disposable needles and syringes every time while you take the shots.
- In case of any doubts, contact your nearest AIDS counselling centre or any Government hospital.
It is necessary to note that not only a proper intercourse but also an incomplete intercourse with an infected person is risky as it can lead to infection. So, it is necessary to take preventive measures in order to avoid HIV infection.
PART 5 - How to Proceed When You Suspect Infection