Definition:

 Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS) is a disease of the human immune
system caused by the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
This condition progressively reduces the
effectiveness of the immune system and leaves
individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections
and tumors.
The time between infection and the appearance of
symptoms tends to be much longer, allowing more
opportunities for these microorganisms to be
transmitted to other hosts. The period between
infection and the appearance of AIDS can take
from 7 to 12 years.
AIDS is now a pandemic. In 2007, an estimated
33.2 million people lived with the disease
worldwide, and it killed an estimated 2.1 million
people, including 330,000 children.
 Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of AIDS are primarily the result of conditions that do
not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems

Most of these conditions are infections caused by bacteria, viruses,

fungi and parasites that are normally controlled by the elements of
the immune system that HIV damages.

A person may remain asymptomatic, feel, and appear healthy for even
years even though he or she is infected with HIV. While he or she
does not exhibit AIDS, the immune system starts to be impaired.

The person may exhibit neurological symptoms such as memory loss,

altered gait, depression, sleep disorders or chronic diarrhea.

This set of symptoms is often called AIDS-related Complex (ARC)

by clinicians. As the symptom progress, the patient becomes an AIDS
patient.
Minor Signs:
Persistent Cough for one month
Generalized pruritic dermatitis
Recurrent herpes zoster
Oropharyngeal candidiasis
Chronic disseminated herpes simplex
Generalized lymphadenopathy
Major Signs:
Loss of weight – 10 percent of body weight
Chronic diarrhea for more than one month
Prolonged fever for one month
Common Opportunistic Infections
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
Oral candidiasis
Toxoplasmosis of the CNS
Chronic diarrhea/wasting syndrome
Pulmonary/extra-pulmonary tuberculosis
Cancers

Kaposi’s sarcoma – affects small blood vessels and internal

organs
Cervical dysplasia and cancer. Researchers found out that
women with HIV have higher rates of this type of cancer.
Cervial carcinoma is associated with Human Papilloma Virus
(HPV).
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – cancerous tumor of the lymph
nodes. This is usually a late manifestation of HIV infection.
Mode of Transmission:
Diagnostic Examination:

ELA or ELISA – Enzyme link

immunosorbent assay

Particle agglutination (PA) test

Western blot analysis – confirmatory diagnostic

test

Immunofluorescent test

Radio immuno-precipitation assay (RIPA)

Treatment Modalities:
“AIDS Drugs” are medicines used to treat but not to cure
HIV infection.
These drugs are sometimes referred to as “anteroviral
drugs.”
These work by inhibiting the reproduction of the virus.
There are two groups of anteroviral drugs:
1. Reverse trancriptase inhibitors – they inhibit the enzyme
called reverse transcriptase which is needed to “copy”
information for the virus to replicate. These drugs are:
a. Zedovudine (ZDV) – Retirvir
b. Zalcitabine – Havid
c. Stavudine – Zerit
d. Lamivudine – Epivir
e. Nevirapine – Viramune
f. Didanosine – Videx
2. Protease inhibitors. They work by inhibiting
the enzyme protease which are needed for
the assembly of viral particles. These drugs
are:
a. Saquinavir – Invarase
b. Ritonavir – Norvir
c. Indinavir – Crixivan
Nursing Management:

Health education –
The healthcare worker must:
Know the patient
Avoid fear tactics
Avoid judgmental and moralistic messages
Be consistent and concise
Use positive statement
Give practical advice
Practice universal/standard precaution
There is a need for a thorough medical handwashing
after every contact with patient and after
removing the gown and gloves, and before leaving
the room of an AIDS suspect or known AIDS
patient.
Use of universal barrier or Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) e.g., cap, mask, gloves, CD gown,
face shield/goggles are very necessary.
Prevention

Care should be taken to avoid accidental pricks from sharp

instruments contaminated with potentially infectious materials
form AIDS patient.

Gloves should be worn when handling

blood specimens and other body secretions as well as surfaces,
materials and objects exposed to them.
 Blood and other specimens should be labeled with special warning “AIDS
Precaution”.

Blood spills should be cleaned immediately using common household disinfectants,

like “chlorox”.

Needles should not be bent after use, but should be disposed into a puncture-
resistant container.

Personal articles like razor or razor blades, toothbrush should not be shared with
other members of the family. Razor blades may be disposed in the same manner
as needles are disposed.

Patients with active AIDS should be isolated.

 HIV

MAN
HUMAN

GENITO-URINARY BLOOD/
SECRETION

SEXUAL
INTERCOURSE/
BLOOD
TRANSFUSION
Herpes genitalis
Herpes genitalis (or genital herpes) refers to a genital
infection by herpes simplex virus.
Following the classification HSV into two distinct
categories of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in the 1960s,[1][2] it was
established that "HSV-2 was below the waist, HSV-1 was
above the waist". Although genital herpes is largely
believed to be caused by HSV-2, genital HSV-1 infections
are increasing and now exceed 50% in certain populations,
[3][4][5]
and that rule of thumb no longer applies. HSV is
believed to be asymptomatic in the majority of cases, thus
aiding contagion and hindering containment.
Transmission

HSV-1 and -2 are transmitted from contact with an

infectious area of the skin during reactivations of the
virus.

HSV-1 is usually acquired orally during childhood, but may

also be sexually transmitted. HSV-2 is primarily a sexually
transmitted infection but rates of HSV-1 genital
infections are increasing.

Both viruses may also be transmitted vertically during

childbirth, although the real risk is very low. [
Symptoms
When symptomatic, the typical manifestation of a primary
HSV-1 or HSV-2 genital infection is clusters of genital sores
consisting of inflamed papules and vesicles on the outer surface
of the genitals resembling cold sores. These usually appear 4–7
days after sexual exposure to HSV for the first time. Genital
HSV-1 infection recurs at rate of about one sixth of that of
genital HSV-2.
In males, the lesions occur on the glans penis, shaft of the
penis or other parts of the genital region, on the inner
thigh, buttocks, or anus. In females, lesions appear on or
near the pubis, labia, clitoris, vulva, buttocks or anus.
Other common symptoms include pain, itching, and
burning. Less frequent, yet still common, symptoms
include discharge from the penis or vagina, fever,
headache, muscle pain (myalgia), swollen and enlarged
lymph nodes and malaise.

- (dysuria) and cervicitis

Treatment
Acyclovir
Valacyclovir
Famciclovir