End Stage Category of AIDS

End Stage Category of AIDS

	End Stage Category of AIDS This is the full blown picture of AIDS. The patient dies of fulminant and uncontrollable infections. The immune system completely collapses, never recovers. The patient may survive a year or two but not longer than four years. Presence of HIV may encourage the development of skin tumor Kaposis sarcoma caused by Cytomegalovirus.
The picture comprises symptoms of (i) respiratory system. Lung infection is the commonest presentation of AIDS. This is seen as dry cough, breathlessness on exertion, vague chest pain and unexplained fever. Fungi and bacteria may also iqfect lungs. (ii) digestive system. There are low volume frequent stool, loss of weight, abdominal pain and discomfort. (iii) neurological system. The symptoms are caused by infection and patient may suffer from headache, personality changes and congnitive changes, loss of memory, changes in consciousness level and convulsions. (iv) malignancy. The commonest malignancy that may also develop is Kaposi's sarcoma a skin malignancy. This is caused by a virus Cytomegalo virus.
Advanced stage of AIDS infection acts as a cofactor for the development of this oncogenic virus. This has a tendency to invade the body all over. Other types of malignancy include that of lymph glands (Non-Hodgkins B cell Lymphoma) and carcinoma of the mouth and the rectum. The laboratory tests help in diagnosis of AIDS. Blood samples from the patient are put to virological, serological and immunological tests. HIV could be isolated from blood. Detection of antibodies against HIV in serum of AIDS affected and high risk patient shows indirect evidence. Immunosuppression state can be shown by depletion of T -helper lymphocytes and alteration of T -helper to T-suppressor lymphocytes in circulating blood.
There are no curative methods to control AIDS. The only ways are (i0 a prophylactic vaccine against the AIDS virus and (ii) to check the spread by development of tests. Work going on HIV may result in near future in the development of a vaccine. Attempts are being made to use bone marrow graft and ,transfusion of immune cells from healthy individuals. One drug, suramin is being tried. Tests are also being made with Rivavirin (broad spectrum antiviral). The drug Azidothymidine is also being tried and also a mineral compound HPA-23.
	The spread of the disease can be greatly checked by development of tests which can identify persons harbouring AIDS virus. Blood donors should be routinely checked and rejected if found positive. Factor VIII-a product of stored blood used in treatment of hemophiliacs is now made safe by heating that kills the virus. Mothers with AIDS are advised against pregnancy. An educational campaign to bring about consciousness about danger of promiscuity. intravenous drug abuse and homosexuality, should be given priority. Press and other media also may play important role.

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