Open House index

WHAT IS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM ?

It is the system that defends our bodies against external agents (mainly bacteria and viruses) that could produce diseases. This system is also responsible to stop cancers from growing.

It is composed of cells from the lymphoreticular system (bone marrow, thymus, spleen, lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissue)

These organs are in charge of producing T and B cells that defend the body. They are also present in the blood and are known as white blood cells, leukocytes or more specifically, T and B lymphocytes that are always present in the lymphatic system.

The T and B lymphocytes have different functions; T cells provide cellular immunity and B cells produce antibodies (humoral immunity).

A subtype of T lymphocytes called T4 organise all the defences and are therefore of vital importance. When an organism enters the body it is identified by the T4 cells that then activate the T and B lymphocytes to start the immune response.

T lymphocytes directly attack external agents, whilst the B lymphocytes produce antibodies that act on these agents to destroy them. Each antibody is specific for each microbe, such that if an antibody is present in your body it shows that you have been in contact with the microorganism concerned.

AIDS occurs when over a long period of time there has been progressive destruction of T4 cells by viral infection.

HOW DOES HIV ATTACK THE IMMUNE SYSTEM?

The virus travels in the blood stream and then sticks to the T4 lymphocytes. Thereafter the wall of the virus opens which allows the viral RNA to come out, which, via the enzyme Reverse Transcriptase gets transcribed into DNA and inserted into the nucleus of the lymphocyte, becoming part of the genetic make-up of the cell; this results in a break-down of the normal defence function of the T lymphocyte.
The virus then replicates itself inside the host cell until it explodes and massive amounts of free virus then can infect new T lymphocytes.

When the point is reached that signifcant numbers of of T4 cells have been destroyed by the virus, the body's defenses become weakened and there is a high risk of developing AIDS.

WHO GETS AIDS ?

We are all susceptible to AIDS if we get exposed to HIV; men, women and children alike.

STAGES OF HIV INFECTION

1.- Acute infection stage:

By this we mean the period from first infection until antibodies are formed against the HIV

This period normally lasts 8 to 12 weeks

In the majority of cases it passes unnoticed or with clinical symptoms similar to a cold.

2.- Asymptomatic infection stage:

This stage is the period between seroconversion and the appearance of the first symptoms or signs of immunodeficiency. It is impossible to tell if someone has HIV in this stage as the patient always looks healthy. This period can last up to 10 years.

3.- Persistant Generalised Lymphadenopathy:

In this stage there is swelling of the lymph glands which is an obvious sign that the body is fighting to keep the HIV under control.

It is also possible that in this stage there may be occasional fever, night sweats, loss of weight, tiredness etc. Remember that these symptoms may be part of other illnesses and have nothing to do with HIV. If you have experienced any of these symptoms give us a call.

4.-The AIDS stage:

This is the final phase of the HIV infection

It is characterised by a widespread systemic diseases such as the so-called Wasting Syndrome or a range of opportunistic infections, infections that only cause diseases when the host is immunocompromised. These infections may be life threatening. There are also tumours that may arise such as Kaposi's sarcoma.

HIV infection needs three fundamental conditions to occur:

1. That HIV is present:

Only fluids infected by HIV can transmit the virus. If someone is unsure whether HIV is present or not, measures should always be taken to prevent infection.

2. That a fluid is present capable of transmitting HIV:

Fluids that can transmit HIV are blood, sexual fluids and breast-milk; and those which cannot transmit HIV are sweat, tears, saliva, urine and faeces.

3. That there is an entry point for the virus:

This means that there must be a point of entry in the body so that the virus can insert itself in the fluid that is carrying it to later be absorbed into the blood stream: this includes the mucosal surfaces such as the eyes, mouth, anus, penis and vagina as well as open wounds.

THREE FORMS OF TRANSMISSION HAVE BE FOUND: BLOOD, PERINATAL & SEXUAL.

It is transmitted by:

· Unprotected sexual relations with an infected person
· Infected blood
· Sharing razors
· From an infected pregnant mother to her baby
· Sharing syringes
· Tattoos

THEREFORE:

A person infected by HIV carries the virus in his/her blood and in certain bodily fluids.

WHAT ARE THE INFECTIOUS FLUIDS ?

Semen, vaginal secretions, precum, blood, breast-milk.

HOW DON'T YOU GET HIV ?

Bodily secretion that DO NOT transmit HIV are: saliva, sweat, tears, urine and faces, except if any of these contain blood, semen, precum, vaginal secretions or breast-milk.

Therefore, HIV is not transmitted by kissing, hugging or shaking hands. Nor by sharing cutlery, food or drinks, toilets, handling money, public phones, going to the cinema, going to the gym or to work, going to school, casual contacts, going to hospital or seeing the doctor, nor by public transport, or using the same bath as someone HIV positive. Neither is there transmission by mosquito bites or sharing clothes.

Neither is there any risk in donating blood as all materials are sterile and disposable.

HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF ?

There is no effective vaccine against HIV, which is why our only defense is education. The preventive measures to take against HIV depend on the mechanism of HIV transmission.

Risk of sexual transmission :

· ALWAYS Use protection - use a condom as a protective mechanical barrier.

Risk of bloodborne transmission:

· Demand to see a label of "safe blood" on any transfusion if you find yourself abroad
· All surgical equipment should be sterilised.
· Don't share sharp objects like razor blades or nail cutters.
· People living with HIV should not donate blood or any other organ for transplant.

Risk of transmission mother to child (perinatal):

· If you want to start a family before conceiving ask for an HIV test.

If you have had any high risk contact in the last 5 years it is recommended that you wait three months since your last contact and then do an HIV test, before deciding if you want to go ahead and have a child or not. In this way you will have the chance to be informed about the risks of HIV infection and the risk to your unborn child. If the test comes out positive then the recommendation is to take anti HIV medication from the third month and avoid breat feeding.

HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE HIV ?

The only way to know for certain is to do a special blood test, either by looking for antibodies, the p24 antigen or by the PCR technique. It is very important to do this test under medical supervision both BEFORE and AFTER the test. If you want more information about which kind of test is most appropriate to your situation please call us on 91 429 4959.

A positive test result means that this person has been infected .

The tests are not 100% infallible, such that in the case of a positive test result there should always be a confirmatory test (see STATE OF THE ART MEDICINE)

If the test is negative then it is recommended that an antibody test is done after three months to confirm the results.

IT IS USEFUL TO KNOW

AIDS is not a disease that is limited to one group of perople (for example: homosexuals) as was thought initially. In Spain HIV is increasingly noticeably in the straight community.

It is not a disease that reflects "who I am" rather "what I do" (risky activities)

As HIV is most frequently transmitted by the sexual route, the best way to protect yourself properly is to use a condom

AIDS is a life-threatening disease that has not cure as yet.

AIDS is not transmitted by casual contacts

AIDS is transmitted through sex, infected blood and contaminated syringes.

A woman infected by HIV can transmit the virus to her child during pregnancy.

You can live with a person who has the virus or is ill because of HIV. Give them your love and understanding. Don't abandon them.

If you have any questions about HIV or the tests we do to detect the virus write to us at: