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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (view source)
Revision as of 21:04, January 14, 2009
, 21:04, January 14, 2009no edit summary
A handful of scientists have disagreed with the [[scientific consensus|mainstream]] about the existence of the virus, and dispute still goes on about whether HIV is the sole or even main cause of AIDS.<ref>http://www.duesberg.com/</ref>
A handful of scientists have disagreed with the [[scientific consensus|mainstream]] about the existence of the virus, and dispute still goes on about whether HIV is the sole or even main cause of AIDS.<ref>http://www.duesberg.com/</ref>
==History==
In 1983, Barre-Sinoussi, Chermann, and Montagnier (at the Pasteur Institute in Paris) isolated a retrovirus from lymph node cells of a patient with lymphadenopathy; accordingly, this virus was designated lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV). Lymphadenopathy-associated virus was shown to replicate and cause cytopathology in cultures of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. A year after the report on LAV, Gallo and co-workers (at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) described the isolation of a cytopathic T-lymphotropic retrovirus, designated human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III), from peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)<ref>Gallo RC, Salahuddin SZ, Propovic M, et al. Frequent detection and isolation of cytopathic retroviruses (HTLV-II) from patients with AIDS and at risk for AIDS. ''Science'' 1984;224:500-503.</ref>
== Transmission ==
== Transmission ==
Early on in the epidemic, there was much confusion about the transmission of HIV. After decades of study, this has been clarified. HIV can be found in various body fluids, however its highest concentrations are found in semen, blood, and vaginal secretions. It can also be found in breast milk, but recent research <ref>The Lancet, March 30th 2007</ref> shows that exclusive breastfeeding tends to protect against HIV transmission.
Early on in the epidemic, there was much confusion about the transmission of HIV. After decades of study, this has been clarified. HIV can be found in various body fluids, however its highest concentrations are found in semen, blood, and vaginal secretions. It can also be found in breast milk, but recent research <ref>The Lancet, March 30th 2007</ref> shows that exclusive breastfeeding tends to protect against HIV transmission.
As summarized by the [[Centers for Disease Prevention and Control]]:
As summarized by the [[Centers for Disease Prevention and Control]]<ref>www.cdc.gov</ref>:
<blockquote>An exposure that might place HCP at risk for HIV infection is defined as a percutaneous injury (e.g., a needlestick or cut with a sharp object) or contact of mucous membrane or nonintact skin (e.g., exposed skin that is chapped, abraded, or afflicted with dermatitis) with blood, tissue, or other body fluids that are potentially infectious. In addition to blood and visibly bloody body fluids, semen and vaginal secretions also are considered potentially infectious. Although semen and vaginal secretions have been implicated in the sexual transmission of HIV, they have not been implicated in occupational transmission from patients to HCP.</blockquote>
<blockquote>An exposure that might place HCP at risk for HIV infection is defined as a percutaneous injury (e.g., a needlestick or cut with a sharp object) or contact of mucous membrane or nonintact skin (e.g., exposed skin that is chapped, abraded, or afflicted with dermatitis) with blood, tissue, or other body fluids that are potentially infectious. In addition to blood and visibly bloody body fluids, semen and vaginal secretions also are considered potentially infectious. Although semen and vaginal secretions have been implicated in the sexual transmission of HIV, they have not been implicated in occupational transmission from patients to HCP.</blockquote>
After exposure, the virus invades and replicates in immune cells near the site of infection. It quickly spreads to regional lymph nodes and via the blood stream to the rest of the body. During this stage the patient may experience ''Acute Retroviral Syndrome'', a vague flu-like illness. The patient is often asymptomatic for the first 5-10 years after infection. By that time, untreated, progression to AIDS in inevitable, except in a small subset of patients.
After exposure, the virus invades and replicates in immune cells near the site of infection. It quickly spreads to regional lymph nodes and via the blood stream to the rest of the body. During this stage the patient may experience ''Acute Retroviral Syndrome'', a vague flu-like illness. The patient is often asymptomatic for the first 5-10 years after infection. By that time, untreated, progression to AIDS in inevitable, except in a small subset of patients.
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HIV and Recommendations for Postexposure Prophylaxis.
Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HIV and Recommendations for Postexposure Prophylaxis.
MMWR Recomm Rep. 2005;54:1-17.
MMWR Recomm Rep. 2005;54:1-17.
THE LANCET, Volume 357: Pages 1149-1153,
THE LANCET, Volume 357: Pages 1149-1153,