HIV- its not nice

[fireblaze]

hiv - human immunodefiency virus. these viruses attack the lymphatic system where the imuune system is. in the lymphatic system memeory B and T cells exist that enalble us to repond to antigens by producing compementary antibodies. the antibodies are either stuck on memory b cells surface, or released by killer b cells ( help me with correct name) synthesise and release antibodies in the bloodstream. HIV destroys the memory cells so we have a weaker immune respone ( fewer antibodies released).

there are some typical symptoms of HIV. these are muscle fatigue, headaches, flu, swollen glands.

How does HIV cause these symptoms??

[victor]

I think what you mean isn't like HIV but more like EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus) to me... or am I wrong??

[alextemplet]

How does HIV cause these symptoms??

If I'm not mistaken, HIV kills an individual by weakening the immune system to a point that the body has no defense against even harmless infections, and even a common cold can become lethal. It is not HIV itself that causes these symptoms, but the other diseases that come along with it which the body cannot defend against.

[canalon]

No Alex, he speaks of the first acute symtoms after the infection. In fact infection by HIV starts with some kind of flu like symptoms in the first phase before entering into a latent, but much more deadly in the long run, phase that will ultimately lead to AIDS.

But those symptoms that are described are not specific, and in fact quite common in many viral disease, and are just the manifestation of your immune response.

[alextemplet]

But those symptoms that are described are not specific, and in fact quite common in many viral disease, and are just the manifestation of your immune response.

Ah, then I was mistaken; I thought those symptoms were caused by the other diseases that come with HIV. But is that part of the problem in daignosing HIV, because its early symptoms are so much alike that of so many other diseases?

[canalon]

Well, that and they could also get unnoticed. And at this time the virus titre may still be very low.

Just like west nile virus and other virus, you may be infected without noticing it. So you just do not go to your doctor, just stay in bed (or not) and miss the first acute infection event. Months or years laters your Immune system is destroyed and you get weird illnesses and when you seek for help, AIDS is a likely cause for rare infections, and you are tested for HIV... OF course it would be better to test before that but...

[Skytroll]

Canalon,

What are the tests now used for intitial HIV infection? Do they use molecular tests at all, yet?

Skytroll

[fireblaze]

HIV tests can be done. They look for antibodies in blood. how do they actually find out that you are hiv positive.

[MrMistery]

i think they use electrophoresis and southern blotting of leucocyte DNA. But i am not sure.
By the way, the most common desease you die when you have AIDS is a weird pneumonia caused by an inferior fungus named Pneumocystis carini. Not really on-topic, but interesting

[Skytroll]

MrMistery,

Do you think many people get this? Even if they are not HIV?

Some sites I read where it is not that contagious but there is a lot of info on it.

The connection to the Carini rather than Chagas had me wondering about the real truth behind Chagas disease.

There seems to be some differing of opinion on the science of the protists diseases.

Skytroll

[victor]

HIV tests can be done. They look for antibodies in blood. how do they actually find out that you are hiv positive.

Yup, I think the test can be run after several weeks of infection by HIV. There'll be an increase in IgG antibody in blood serum...

[saadia]

The only way to determine for sure whether you have HIV/AIDS is to be tested for HIV infection. You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected with HIV. Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all for many years.
The following may be warning signs of infection with HIV:

rapid weight loss
dry cough
recurring fever or profuse night sweats
profound and unexplained fatigue
swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
pneumonia
red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
memory loss, depression, and other neurological disord