The sensational reports about the cure for HIV in the media did not leave anyone indifferent: after all, this meant that the terrible infection could be defeated, that HIV was curable. Not only patients, but also specialists have many questions about treatment for HIV in the body, because it is not so easy to treat this monster. About whether HIV can be cured, and we'll talk in the article.

How does HIV affect the immune system?

Over the years of the spread of the HIV epidemic, significant information has been accumulated about the virus itself, the mechanism of its reproduction in the body and its impact on immune cells. It has been proven that the target cells for HIV are T lymphocytes that have CD4 receptors. Attaching to these receptors, the virus penetrates the lymphocyte with the help of its enzymes, inserts itself into its genome, and “forces” it to produce similar virions.

Does your child get sick often?

Your child constantly sick?
A week in kindergarten (school), two weeks at home on sick leave?

Many factors are to blame for this. From bad ecology to weakening the immune system with ANTI-VIRAL DRUGS!
Yes, yes, you heard right! By feeding your child powerful synthetic drugs, you sometimes cause more harm to the little organism.

In order to radically change the situation, it is necessary not to destroy the immune system, but to HELP IT...

In this case, the lymphocyte is destroyed, and the newly formed viruses are introduced into new lymphocytes. As a result of this endless process, the number of CD4 cells falls, viral load(the number of copies of the virus in 1 ml of blood) is growing. The aggression of the virus continues until all T-lymphocytes are destroyed, which means the body is completely defenseless against any infection, which immediately develops - the disease goes into the AIDS stage.

The concept of ART

Scientists have proposed treating HIV infection with drugs that block the mechanisms that ensure the virus multiplies (receptors and enzymes): as a result, the virus cannot attach to a lymphocyte, penetrate inside the cell and multiply.

Goals when prescribing ART:

• block the reproduction of HIV, reduce the viral load to undetectable;
• restore the number of CD4 lymphocytes to ensure immune protection body;
• prevent the development of AIDS, thereby increasing the length and quality of life;
• reducing the potential danger of the infected person to others;
• reduce the risk of infection for the fetus from an infected mother.

Antiviral drugs that have a selective effect on the mechanisms of virus reproduction belong to different groups. It turned out that the use of one drug that blocks one of the conditions for HIV reproduction, or two drugs, is ineffective.

Since 1996, the simultaneous use of 3 drugs with different points applications. This “triple” antiretroviral therapy (ART) has proven to be the most effective and is widely used.

It is these three drugs that are used to treat patients with HIV infection. Since one of the properties of HIV is high ability to mutations, the virus in some patients develops resistance to drugs (resistance). In such cases, it is necessary to change medications and apply a different treatment regimen. Combination therapy of 3 drugs reduces the likelihood of resistance developing.

Why is my child's immune system weakened?

Many people are familiar with these situations:

• As soon as the cold season begins - your child is bound to get sick, and then the whole family...
• Looks like you're buying expensive drugs, but they only work while you drink them, and after a week or two baby gets sick again...
• Are you worried that your child's immune system is weak, very often illnesses take precedence over health...
• You are afraid of every sneeze or cough...

  It is necessary to strengthen YOUR CHILD'S IMMUNITY!

Medicines do not rid the body of the virus, but they also do not allow it to multiply at tremendous speed. The viral load is reduced to undetectable levels. Due to the production of new blood cells, the number of CD4 lymphocytes gradually returns to its original level during treatment.

This means that the prescribed antiviral drugs do not have a direct effect on T-lymphocytes: by blocking the reproduction of the virus, they prevent the destruction of newly formed immune cells by viruses.

Indications for use antiviral therapy is:

• decrease in CD4 lymphocytes below 500 cells;
• manifestations of opportunistic infections regardless of the level of immune cells and viral load;
• prevention of HIV transmission to the fetus during pregnancy.

Immune status (CD4 count) may be affected;

• stress;
• bad habits (use narcotic drugs, alcohol, smoking);
• any infection;
• bad environment.

Therefore, the doctor takes into account the dynamics of changes in the number of cells in combination with other factors.

Many experts believe that HIV is most effectively treated starting from the early stages of HIV infection, including its acute phase. The later the use of ART is started, the more difficult it is to achieve a good result.

One of the indications for ART is pregnancy, since treatment significantly reduces the likelihood of HIV transmission to the fetus. Treatment regimens have been developed for pregnant women, since not all drugs can be used during pregnancy. This is also taken into account when prescribing treatment for women. childbearing age with HIV infection and planning pregnancy.

ART will be effective if the treatment principles are followed:

• timely initiation of treatment (with a CD4 lymphocyte count of at least 350);
• use of a complex of drugs (at least three) from different groups;
• adherence to treatment.

Adherence is understood as strict compliance with all conditions for the use of drugs by the patient himself, and avoidance of skipping medications. You will have to take the medications (more than once a day) for the rest of your life. This requires and the right attitude patient, and willpower, and psychological support in the family.

Poor adherence increases the development of viral resistance to antiretroviral drugs, rendering treatment futile. The virus resumes active reproduction and destruction of immune cells. The effectiveness of ART (up to 80%) can be counted on only with 100% compliance with all conditions and medication schedule.

Many infected people are concerned about searching for the very best effective drug. It should be understood that there is no universal treatment regimen. Therapy is selected individually for each person. At very low immune status Additionally, drugs are prescribed to prevent opportunistic infections (against tuberculosis, Pneumocystis pneumonia, etc.).

Only a doctor knows how to treat HIV, which drugs are combined with each other, which ones are more likely to develop resistance, which side effects may appear.

Many infected people try to boost their immunity with the help of prescriptions. traditional medicine. This tactic is dangerous because of its consequences: time will simply be lost to carry out effective ART, since the mechanism of development of immunodeficiency is associated with the action of viruses, immunomodulators (immunostimulants) will not help.

In the presence of opportunistic infectious diseases their treatment is carried out in accordance with protocols, regardless of ART. When tumors develop, it is possible to carry out radiation therapy. Immunomodulatory drugs are not indicated.

Monitoring the effect of ART

To monitor the effectiveness of treatment, quarterly laboratory monitoring is carried out: the viral load and the number of CD4 cells are checked. At effective therapy already after 3-6 months. the number of immune cells will increase noticeably, and the number of copies of the virus in 1 ml decreases by 100 rubles. and more.

To ensure successful treatment The following points are important:

• healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits;
• the patient’s mood, belief in the success of treatment;
• psychological support in the family, in special groups of socio-psychological support (if necessary, consultation with a psychologist);
• exclusion of stressful situations.

If the viral load rises and the CD4 count falls, it means medical complex is not suitable or the virus has developed resistance to the drugs; at least 2 drugs in the treatment regimen must be replaced. The sensitivity of the virus to drugs is tested using a special laboratory method.

Is HIV infection curable?

There is hardly a person who is not interested in the question: is HIV curable? Experts around the world still consider HIV infection to be an incurable disease, although they are trying to develop both a vaccine against HIV and new methods and means of treatment. Some developments give hope that a solution to the problem will be found.

Research has proven that there are people who cannot be infected with HIV, people with a genetically determined accelerated or, conversely, reduced rate of development of HIV infection. Interracial differences have also been identified, both in matters of infection and in the progression of the disease. The Negroid race is most susceptible to HIV, the Caucasian race is less susceptible, and the Mongoloid race is the least susceptible.

About 1% of people are not affected by HIV due to a gene mutation. Geneticists are studying this mutation and trying to find a way to use it in other infected individuals. It is assumed that cells will be collected from the infected patient, which will be processed using methods genetic engineering and return again to the patient.

Radiologists are working on a cure for early stage diseases through targeted exposure of damaged cells to radio wave radiation.

It is still difficult to say how effective the latest developments will be.

Unique cases of cure

Cases of documented cures for HIV have become known throughout the world.

The first report that an adult was cured of HIV infection for the first time came from Germany. The “Berlin patient,” who became infected at age 30, received ART for 10 years. Then, after his diagnosis acute leukemia, in the absence of effect from conventional treatment methods malignant disease blood, he underwent a transplant bone marrow.

The donor was a person with natural resistance to HIV. After 2 bone marrow transplant operations, the patient became HIV-free. Without treatment antiviral drugs within 6 years the cured person has no relapse of HIV infection.

In the United States, there have been 2 cases of children becoming infected with HIV from mothers who did not receive preventive treatment. The children received massive antiviral therapy with 3 drugs for a month, and not just one, as is customary. No HIV activity was detected after treatment.

The Pasteur Institute analyzed 70 cases of early use of antiviral therapy (from 35 days to 10 weeks after infection). All of them stopped taking medications various reasons. Most developed a recurrence of infection. But in 14 patients (10 men and 4 women) there was no relapse. They have negligible amounts of HIV and do not need ART treatment.

Experts say it matters early application drugs. But the issue still requires study.

How long can you live

Any person who learns about HIV infection experiences great anxiety. He is overwhelmed panic fear and despair. Naturally, everyone has a question: how many people live with HIV?

It is difficult to accurately answer the question about life expectancy with HIV infection:

1. Some infected people, having become infected back in the 80s, are alive, although the average life expectancy is 5-15 years. How long they will live is unknown.
2. Effective treatment methods have appeared and have been used for more than 10 years; they slow down the progression of the disease. Without treatment, patients in the AIDS stage live an average of 1.5-3 years.
3. Scientists from many countries are working on the problem of treating the infection. It is possible that new means and methods of treatment will soon appear that will allow those infected to live into old age.

Timely started and properly carried out, antiviral treatment allows you to transfer HIV infection from a number of fatal diseases to a chronic one. HIV infection is no longer a death sentence. It is important to diagnose the disease as early as possible, monitor the state of immunity and start ART in a timely manner.

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If a child is constantly sick, his immune system DOES NOT WORK!

The human immune system is designed to resist viruses and bacteria. In babies, it is not yet fully formed and does not work to its full potential. And then parents “finish off” immunity antiviral agents, accustoming him to a relaxed state. Poor ecology and the widespread distribution of different strains of the influenza virus also contribute. It is necessary to strengthen and pump up the immune system and this must be done IMMEDIATELY!

HIV can be cured. Is this true or not? And if it is true, then how and where can this be done?

Treatment is the action when the body recovers from a given disease.
Cure is the complete destruction of the disease.
Many say that sometimes infected cells are nothing more than viral incubators in which the virus is very long time is present in a latent state, does not spread and no medications affect it in an effective way. However, not so long ago, some achievements of scientists showed us that it may actually be possible to find a way to remove this virus from cellular storage. This will likely eradicate HIV forever, or simply reduce the number of viral cells in the body so much that people probably won't need antiretroviral therapy.

HIV is curable: myth or reality?

The famous “Armenicum”, having become famous throughout the planet, has not yet completely cured the sick Kolya Kolesnikov: he is still infected (HIV stage 1b) and is also disappointed. These are mainly young people under 25 who were drug addicts in their recent past. Ivan was accepted into regional center AIDS, and on December 13, 2000 in the laboratory of A.G. Pokrovsky State Research Center "Vector" had his blood tested for HIV virus levels. The result of this analysis revealed 500,000 copies of the virus in 1 milliliter of blood serum, which once again confirms Why can't HIV be cured completely?

AIDS is a disease. An HIV-infected person, therefore, is a carrier of this virus, but it (the virus) has not yet fully penetrated the body to such an extent that it can be concluded that this person is infected with AIDS. With HIV, with the right lifestyle and procedures, there is a high probability that a person will live to old age you just need:

• — Quit the habit of smoking, using drugs and alcohol;
• - Don't fall into depressive states;
• - Accept healthy food and related vitamins;
• — Play sports, etc.

Also, scientists from Italy finally managed to find a way to cure HIV. These scientists propose a method such as a liver transplant, supposedly this will help prolong the life of those who are sick with this virus. But the effectiveness of this method has not been proven.
But still the best medicine from AIDS are physical activity. They effectively cope with weight loss in people infected with HIV infection.

German doctors managed to cure HIV

For this purpose they use very strong drugs(antiretroviral), which can reduce the activity of the virus in the body. But can the virus be cured? Scientists from all fields of medicine are looking for newest ways therapy to stop 21st century disease. There is only one known case in the world in which the patient fully recovered. This person’s body began to produce healthy immune cells, and the level of this virus in this person’s blood decreased. More than ten years ago, scientists figured out how to treat HIV and prolong the life of patients to the maximum possible time.

Today, humanity knows several thousand diseases, but HIV infection is one of the most terrible. This disease is a complete weakening of the human immune system, where the body is unable to fight any type of bacteria, infection with which often leads to death. Anyone infected with this virus wonders whether HIV can be cured. folk remedies?

Treatment of HIV with folk remedies is often carried out at home, since there is no medicine and people are trying to fight the infection using old methods. An infected person can maintain their immune system and put up a barrier of defense against bacteria.

The infection occurs in three ways: sexually, through the blood, and infection in utero from the mother. Throughout his subsequent life after infection, a person is forced to carefully monitor his health and condition.

Many people are deeply mistaken when they claim that HIV infection often leads to death.

According to experts, if the patient follows precautions and uses medications prescribed by doctors for prevention, then death can be avoided. HIV-infected people live to old age and can even give birth to offspring, although this is not recommended for them. They often use folk remedies to treat HIV. Treatment with herbs is often used here, from which several types of infusions and decoctions are made. Their action is aimed at destroying the virus. So how can you cure HIV forever from the body using folk remedies? Traditional medicine offers several methods.

It is always necessary to treat this type of infection with herbs. The patient must strengthen his immunity in order to achieve protection from exposure dangerous bacteria. Therefore, treatment should not be stopped, but only breaks can be taken, not exceeding several weeks.

Folk remedies for treating HIV: there are several ways to prepare infusions and decoctions:

1. To partially suppress the virus, it is necessary to use a decoction of St. John's wort. . Here they take a liter of water and bring it to a boil in a saucepan. Then you should add six tablespoons of dry crushed herbs. Boil the broth for an hour, stirring occasionally. After the broth has cooled slightly, filter it through cheesecloth and add three tablespoons sea ​​buckthorn oil. The resulting decoction needs to stand for two days, and then it is taken half a glass every day, 4 times. This course of treatment can not be interrupted.
2. Licorice is another one useful plant to treat AIDS with folk remedies . It can not only suppress the virus, but also destroy it, although the course of treatment should also not be interrupted. To prepare the decoction, take three tablespoons of licorice roots and boil them in a saucepan with four glasses of water for an hour. After the broth has cooled slightly, add at least three tablespoons of honey (can be preheated). The resulting decoction must be taken warm every time before meals for about 20 minutes.
3. Together with the decoction, immunodeficiency can be treated with tincture of licorice roots. . To prepare it, take the roots of the plant in the amount of half a glass. The roots should be soaked for a day in warm water. After time, the raw materials are grated on a fine grater and poured with half a liter of high-quality vodka. The resulting mixture is left in a dark place for 10 days.

This tincture should be taken correctly and only by those who do not have a ban on alcohol. 5 drops of tincture should be mixed in a tablespoon of water and drunk after meals. Liquid intake should not exceed two times a day, and the course of treatment should not be less than three months. Then a short break is taken and the course of treatment begins again.

1. There is another tincture that must be taken to eliminate the virus . This is a calendula tincture that can be purchased at a pharmacy. The course of treatment takes at least 5 months. Then a short break is taken in the form of a two-week or even ten-day vacation and the drug is resumed again. With the help of this tincture, the patient will be able to significantly normalize and improve blood counts, which characterizes the suppression of the virus and the normal functioning of the body.

The tincture is drunk throughout the day. In the morning and evening, drink two drops diluted in water, which can be taken in a convenient amount. Then drink one drop every hour throughout the day. After three days of use, you can take a break for one day. After 5 months of such treatment, the patient is recommended to undergo blood tests to determine its parameters. If they return to normal or at least come close, treatment continues after a short break.

Treating immunodeficiency with herbs does not mean wasting time. Scientists have proven that traditional medicine in the treatment of HIV infection can bring the patient’s body to full functionality, and, consequently, increase his chances of a long life.

Honey also has a positive effect on the destruction of the virus and restoration of full and normal performance body. Here it is necessary to use a special alcohol tincture from propolis. It will help cleanse the blood and saturate it with vitamins and beneficial microelements.

To prepare the tincture, you need to take 100 grams of crushed propolis and pour half a liter of pure ethyl alcohol. It is better to mix in a bottle, because afterward the mixture must be shaken thoroughly for at least half an hour. Then the tincture is left in a dark place for five days, shaking it periodically. After the tincture is ready, it is taken 1.5 hours before meals and before bedtime, after diluting 20 drops in boiled warm water.

If the tincture is required for children or people who are prohibited from drinking alcohol, use a slightly different method of preparation without adding alcohol.

In this case, take the same 100 grams of grated propolis and fill it with 100 ml of water. Keep the mixture in a water bath for three hours and then strain. Using the same principle as with an alcohol solution, take the resulting liquid one teaspoon at a time.

Before using traditional methods of treating HIV, the patient must undergo preparatory stages to cleanse the body and avoid certain foods. The patient should not eat salty, spicy, smoked, or pickled foods. You should also give up coffee and replace black tea with green tea. Meals should be at strictly designated times, the interval between which does not exceed 4 hours. Only after an established regimen does the patient begin the presented treatment with the use of propolis.

Doctors and other specialists, during many years Those who study such infections are favorable to the treatment of immunodeficiency virus with folk remedies.

In their memory there are many cases when a patient, with the help of herbal and other treatment natural products He was completely cured and lived a long and fulfilling life.

But they are also forced to warn that it is impossible to treat the virus with folk remedies and not visit a doctor. Similar methods may lead to fatal outcome. Therefore, even with feeling good the patient must undergo regular examinations and take medications prescribed by the attending physician.

In order to do an HIV test at home and get checked, you need to purchase special testers at the pharmacy. They are inexpensive, but allow you to quickly determine the presence of this disease. The main method for determining HIV infection is based on one-step detection of the presence of antibodies to the virus. A qualitative assessment is carried out for the presence of antibodies in whole blood(serum, plasma), which is taken from a finger. The assessment is carried out visually by the person himself. The analysis result can be obtained in 15 minutes.

Do not neglect the recommendations that are given for all occasions: lead a healthy lifestyle, take only natural and healthy food and do more sports. Additionally, you need to completely give up bad habits.

Video: Love is responsibility. And an HIV test at home

Video: Symptoms of HIV. How to detect HIV at home

The question of whether HIV can be cured or not worries many people. Currently, this disease is often called the “plague of the 21st century.” But high mortality does not mean at all that every person who is diagnosed with the immunodeficiency virus is doomed in advance. To understand how dangerous this disease is, you should learn more about it.

The dangers of an HIV diagnosis

The immunodeficiency virus was discovered in the late 80s. last century and has since claimed the lives of thousands of people. The disease itself is not fatal, but it is called deadly.

The virus affects the human immune system. It enters the body and circulates freely throughout blood vessels and affects healthy cells. Under its influence, the production of T-leukocytes is blocked, that is, those blood cells that are responsible for recognizing the disease and producing substances that can “kill” the virus and other threats. The virus invades the nucleus of the T-leukocyte and changes its program.

A decrease in the number of white blood cells leads to a weakening of the body's defenses. On late stage diseases - AIDS - a person becomes practically defenseless against the effects of viruses, and even slight cold can lead to tragic consequences.

The virus can enter the body in different ways:

1. From an HIV-positive mother through the placenta or breast milk. This method of infection is observed in 30% of cases. Currently, it is only possible if the mother is not undergoing treatment. Modern drugs and treatment technologies make it possible to effectively treat HIV in pregnant women, and the child is born healthy.
2. During unprotected sexual intercourse.
3. In case of contact with an injured mucous membrane.

It is better to treat any disease in the early stages, including the immunodeficiency virus. But the fact is that detecting an insidious virus is not so easy. Test results even for infected person may be negative for some time. Therefore, many patients sometimes do not even realize that they are infected and it is time to start treatment.

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Symptoms of a developing disease

Most often, signs of the disease appear within one to six months, but in in rare cases it may take several years until this point. The incubation period depends on individual characteristics body and is usually directly proportional to the state of the human immune system.

There are symptoms that can be used to determine the presence of an infection, but their presence already indicates that quite a lot of time has passed since the infection:

• fatigue;
• weight loss for no reason;
• sweating;
• dark red spots;
• increase in temperature;
• enlarged lymph nodes.

The presence of HIV infection in the body leads to decreased resistance to disease.

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Modern methods of treating HIV

Today, the question of whether HIV is curable or not can only be answered in the negative. All existing facilities are aimed only at suppressing the virus and increasing the immunity of the human body in conditions of constant threat of attack on the immune system by a viral agent.

First of all apply etiotropic therapy aimed at reducing the amount of virus. Then medications are prescribed to minimize the spread of HIV infection. The patient is prescribed drugs from the following groups:

• antiretroviral: loverid, deloverdine;
• reducing the ability of the virus to block healthy cells: nelfinavir, indinavir;
• reducing the viability of the virus: Glaxo Wellcome, epivir, zerit.

There are several groups in total antiviral drugs. For effective treatment, it is recommended to take three drugs from different groups. The use of only one medicine leads to the fact that the virus becomes resistant to its effects, and its effectiveness decreases.

Recommended drugs HIV-infected person has to be taken throughout your life and repeatedly throughout the day, which requires willpower. Skipping a medication will render the therapy useless. The virus begins to develop again and continues to have a destructive effect on the body. It is believed that 100% compliance with the medication regimen provides a fairly high (about 80%) guarantee of stopping the development of the virus and not progressing to the AIDS stage.

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Restoring the immune system during treatment

The development of a complex of drugs made it possible to avoid addiction and halve the mortality rate from HIV.

To enhance immunity it is prescribed pathogenetic therapy. At the same time, concomitant diseases are treated.

To restore immunity, bone marrow and lymphocyte transplantation is practiced, or immunomodulators are used. Concomitant diseases in an organism weakened by the immunodeficiency virus are extremely difficult to treat. Relapse is often observed, and in an even more complex form. Radiation therapy is prescribed to treat a number of concomitant diseases.

Viruses can live for a very long time inside a cell. But those that do not remain in the lymph or blood die within 24 hours without any treatment. Tritherapy prevents viruses from entering the cell. As a result, their numbers are reduced so much that tests may not detect them. However, the procedure does not provide complete recovery.

Modern treatment methods are not suitable for all patients. Some people feel better and can return to almost old life. Immunity is restored to almost the same level as before infection. Significantly reduces the risk of developing concomitant diseases. This suggests that the body can again cope with most diseases. But there is a group of patients for whom treatment does not produce results.

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How long can a patient with HIV live?

It is very difficult to say exactly how long people living with HIV live. But this does not mean that the diagnosis is a death sentence, and it is time to prepare for the inevitable. If you believe the statistics, then average duration Life expectancy with HIV ranges from 5 to 15 years, and some people can live to a ripe old age.

It is not possible to measure the life expectancy of HIV-positive people for a number of reasons:

1. Some people who became infected with HIV back in the 80s are still alive. That is, they have been considered sick for more than 25 years, but this figure is not the limit, since it only indicates the time that has passed since the discovery of the disease.
2. Effective medications and treatments were invented more than ten years ago and help slow the spread of the virus in the body.
3. Medicine does not stand still, it develops medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, new treatment methods are being developed. Therefore, it is quite possible to expect the emergence in the near future of revolutionary methods that will help get rid of HIV.

On at the moment the most effective medicine are considered antiretroviral drugs. They are able to block the virus’s access to the blood elements necessary for its existence. Due to this, its activity is suppressed, reproduction and spread are controlled.

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Modern developments of scientists

Scientists around the world, wondering whether HIV is curable or not, have been searching for more than 20 years. effective ways treatment of immunodeficiency virus. Currently, there are already significant achievements that bring closer the discovery of an effective drug. Some developments are already beginning to be tested on people.

Research has shown that a small percentage of people - only about 1% - are not affected by HIV due to a small gene mutation. Currently, geneticists are studying this mutation and looking for opportunities to use it in other patients.

It is assumed that cells will be removed from an HIV-positive patient in which, using genetic engineering methods, they will not leave receptors suitable for the penetration of the virus. The modified cells are then “returned” back to the patient. Maintaining a stable population of such cells will eventually make it possible to completely cure the immunodeficiency virus.

Radiologists put forward the theory that HIV at an early stage can be cured using targeted radio wave exposure to damaged cells.

It is still difficult to say whether HIV can be cured with the latest developments scientists, but there is a high probability that in a few years at least one of them will help overcome the virus.

Human immunodeficiency virus is a pathology that destroys natural protection body. Its danger is that it reduces the body's resistance to various infections, contributing to the development of serious diseases and their complications.

It is completely impossible to cure the disease, since its structure is constantly changing, which does not allow pharmacists to create substances that can destroy it. Treatment for HIV infection is aimed at strengthening the immune system and blocking the activity of the virus.

The disease has four stages, the last of which – AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) – is terminal.

HIV infection has a very long incubation period. After entering the body, the virus for a long time does not manifest itself in any way, but continues to destroy the immune system. A person begins to get sick more severely and for a longer period of time, since the immune system is unable to cope even with “harmless” infections, which give complications, worsening health conditions more and more.

At the terminal stage, the immune system is completely destroyed, which gives impetus to the development of oncological tumors, severe lesions liver, kidneys, heart, respiratory organs, etc. The result is the death of the patient from one of the diseases of these organs.

HIV has four types, of which the first two are diagnosed in 95% of cases of infection, the third and fourth are extremely rare.

The virus is not resistant to exposure environment, antiseptics, alcohol solutions, acetone. He also can't stand high temperatures and dies already at 56 degrees within half an hour, and when boiled it is destroyed instantly.

At the same time, its cells remain viable when frozen (they are able to “live” 5-6 days at a temperature of 22 degrees); in solutions of narcotic substances they remain active for about three weeks.

For a long time, HIV was considered a disease of drug addicts, homosexuals and women lung behavior. Today, among the carriers of the virus there are people with high social status, heterosexual orientation. Neither adults nor children are immune from infection. The main route of transmission is biological fluids body. Pathogenic cells are found in:

• blood;
• lymph;
• sperm;
• cerebrospinal fluid;
• vaginal secretion;
• breast milk.

The risk of infection increases in proportion to the number of pathogenic cells in these fluids, and at least ten thousand viral particles are required to transmit infection.

Methods of infection

The main routes of transmission of the virus are considered to be

• Unprotected sexual intercourse.

According to statistics, infection through this route is diagnosed in 75% of patients, but the risk of transmitting pathogenic cells is the lowest: about 30% of sexual partners become infected during the first vaginal contact, about 50% during anal contact, and less than 5% during oral contact.

Increases the risk of having genitourinary pathologies(gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, fungi), trauma and microdamage to the mucous membranes intimate organs(scratches, ulcers, erosions, cracks anus etc.), frequent sexual contacts with an infected person.

Women are more likely to accept the virus than men, since the area of ​​the vagina and direct contact with pathogenic cells is larger.

• Intravenous injections.

The second most popular way, since more than half are narcotic dependent people suffer from it. The reasons are the use of one syringe or utensils to prepare the solution, as well as unprotected intimate contacts with dubious partners while under the influence of drugs.

• Intrauterine path.

During pregnancy, the risk of the virus passing through the placenta does not exceed 25%, natural childbirth and breastfeeding increase it by another 10%.

• Penetrating injuries from non-sterile instruments: infection occurs when surgical operations in dubious clinics, tattooing, manicure procedures, etc.

• Direct blood transfusion, untested organ transplantation.

If the donor is HIV positive, transmission is 100%.

The possibility of infection depends on the strength of the recipient's immunity. If the natural defense is strong, the course of the disease will be weaker and the incubation period itself will be longer.

Manifestations of pathology

Symptoms of HIV infection are a manifestation curable diseases, provoked by a weakened immune system, which makes diagnosis very difficult, since a person only tests necessary tests, treats the consequences of an illness without even realizing his true status. There are slight differences depending on the stages of infection.

There are no symptoms characteristic of the virus: the manifestations of the disease are individual and depend on general condition health of the patient, diseases caused by him.

The first stage is the incubation period. This is the initial stage, developing from the moment pathogenic cells enter the body until one year. In some patients, the first symptoms appear within a couple of weeks, in others - no earlier than several months.

The average incubation period is one and a half to three months. During this period, symptoms are completely absent; even tests do not show the presence of the virus. Discover dangerous illness at an early stage is possible only if a person is faced with one of possible ways infection.

The second stage is the stage primary manifestations. They arise as a reaction of the immune system to the active proliferation of harmful cells. Usually occurs 2-3 months after infection, lasting from two weeks to several months.

It can happen in different ways

• Asymptomatic when the body produces antibodies and there are no signs of infection.
• Spicy.

The stage is typical for 15-30% of patients, the manifestations are similar to those of acute infectious pathologies:

• increase in temperature;
• fever;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• skin rashes;
• bowel disorders;
• inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract;
• increase in the size of the liver and spleen.

In rare cases, the development of autoimmune pathologies is possible.

• Acute with secondary pathologies – typical for most patients.

Weakened immunity allows existing representatives of opportunistic microflora to actively reproduce, which leads to exacerbation or the emergence of infectious diseases. At this stage, it is not difficult to cure them, but soon their relapses become more frequent.

The third stage is deterioration of work and condition lymphatic system. Lasts from two to 15 years, depending on how the immune system copes with viral cells. Enlargement of lymph nodes occurs in groups (except for the inguinal ones) that are not interconnected.

After three months, their size returns to a healthy state, pain on palpation disappears, elasticity and mobility return. Sometimes relapses occur.

The fourth stage is terminal – the development of AIDS. The immune system is practically destroyed, the virus itself multiplies unhindered. All remaining healthy cells are susceptible to destruction, many of them degenerate into malignant ones, and severe infectious pathologies develop.

AIDS also occurs in four stages

• The first occurs after 6-10 years. It is characterized by a decrease in body weight, rashes on the skin and mucous membranes containing purulent contents, fungal and viral infections, and diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Cope with infectious processes It is possible, but the therapy is long.
• The second develops after another 2-3 years. Weight loss continues, body temperature rises to 38-39 degrees, weakness and drowsiness occur. Observed frequent diarrhea, mucosal lesions oral cavity, fungal and viral lesions skin, the manifestations of all previously diagnosed infectious pathologies intensify, and pulmonary tuberculosis develops.

Conventional medications are unable to cope with the disease; only antiretroviral therapy can alleviate the symptoms.

• The third stage occurs 10-12 years after infection. Symptoms: exhaustion, weakness, lack of appetite. Pneumonia develops viral infections worsen, healing of their manifestations does not occur. Pathogenic microflora covers all internal and external organs and their systems, diseases are acute and give new complications.

The duration of HIV infection from the moment of infection until the death of the patient varies from person to person. Some die after 2-3 years, others live 20 years or more. Cases have been recorded of people dying from the virus within a few months. A person’s lifespan depends on his general health and the type of virus that has entered the body.

Features of HIV in adults and children

The clinical picture of the disease in representatives of the stronger sex does not differ from the manifestations that develop when the immune system is weakened. Girls suffer the infection more severely, as they begin to experience menstrual irregularities.

Menstruation occurs with severe pain, become abundant, bleeding is observed in the middle of the cycle. A common complication virus become malignant formations organs reproductive system. Cases of inflammation of the genitourinary system are becoming more frequent, and their course is more severe and longer.

In babies and newborns, the disease does not manifest itself for a long time, external signs are missing. The only symptom, by which one can suspect the presence of pathology - mental and physical development child.

Diagnosis of the disease

It is difficult to detect HIV at an early stage, since the symptoms are absent or similar to the manifestations of curable pathologies: inflammatory processes, allergies, infectious diseases. The disease can be detected by chance, during a routine medical examination, admission to a hospital, or registration during pregnancy.

The main diagnostic method is a special test, which can be done both in the clinic and at home.

There are a lot of diagnostic methods. Every year, scientists develop new tests and improve old ones, reducing the number of false positive and false negative results.

The main material for research is human blood, but there are tests that can make a preliminary diagnosis by examining saliva or urine using scrapings from the surface of the oral cavity. Wide Application They have not yet been found, but are used for home preliminary diagnostics.

HIV testing in adults is carried out in three stages:

• screening test - gives a preliminary result, helps to identify people who have been infected;
• reference – carried out to persons whose screening results are positive;
• confirming – establishes the final diagnosis and duration of presence of the virus in the body.

This phasing of the examination is associated with high cost research: each subsequent analysis is more complex and expensive, so carry out full complex is not economically feasible for all citizens. During the study, antigens are identified - cells or particles of the virus, antibodies - leukocytes produced immune system to pathogenic cells.

The presence of harmful cells can be determined only after seroconversion is achieved - a state when the number of antibodies is sufficient to be detected by test systems. From the moment of infection until the onset of seroconversion, a “window period” occurs: during this time, transmission of the virus is already possible, but no test can detect it. This period lasts from six to twelve weeks.

If the diagnostic results are positive, you should contact your doctor to prescribe antiretroviral therapy. Which doctor treats HIV infection? An infectious disease specialist who is usually present at the central clinic of a city or regional center.

Treatment of human immunodeficiency virus

Once the virus enters the body, it remains there forever. Although research into the infection has been going on for decades, scientists have not been able to invent drugs that can destroy pathogenic cells. Therefore, almost 100 years after the discovery of the virus, the answer to the question of whether HIV infection can be treated remains a sad “No.”

But medicine is constantly inventing drugs that can slow down the activity of HIV, reduce the risks of developing pathologies, help cope with them faster and prolong the life of the infected person, making it full. Treatment of HIV infection involves taking antiretroviral therapy drugs, prevention and treatment of concomitant inflammatory processes.

Therapy is taking medications, but it is impossible to cure immunodeficiency using traditional medicine. Refusal of pharmaceutical products in favor of non-traditional recipes- a direct path to the development of AIDS and the death of the patient.

The effectiveness of treatment depends on many factors, but the most important condition therapy – the patient’s responsible attitude towards the prescribed treatment. For it to give results, medicinal preparations should be taken strictly certain time, observe their dosage, and avoid interruptions in treatment. Diet and maintenance are also indicated healthy image life.

If these recommendations are followed, the number of protective cells increases dramatically, the virus is blocked, and even highly sensitive tests often cannot detect it. Otherwise, the disease continues to progress and leads to dysfunction of vital organs: heart, liver, lungs, endocrine system.

With HIV infection, the most effective treatment– antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Its main task is to prevent the development of complications and accompanying pathologies that can shorten the patient's life. HAART also helps improve the patient’s quality of life and make it full.

If therapy is carried out correctly, the virus goes into remission and secondary pathologies do not develop. This treatment also has a positive effect on psychological state infected: feeling supported and knowing that the disease can be “slowed down,” he returns to his usual way of life.

In our country, all antiretroviral drugs are provided to a person free of charge after he receives the status of an HIV-positive patient.

Features of antiretroviral therapy

HAART is prescribed on an individual basis, and the tablets included in it depend on the stage of development of the infection. On initial stage specialized treatment is not prescribed, it is recommended to take vitamins and special mineral complexes, helping to strengthen the body's natural defenses.

As preventive method chemotherapy is indicated, but only to those persons who have been in contact with HIV positive person or a potential carrier of the virus. Such prevention is effective only in the first 72 hours after possible infection.

In the second and subsequent stages, therapy is prescribed based on the results of clinical tests that determine the state of immunity. The terminal stage, that is, the presence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, requires mandatory medication. In pediatrics, HAART is always prescribed, regardless of clinical stage development of the child's illness.

This approach to treatment is determined by the standards of the Ministry of Health. But new research shows that early start antiretroviral therapy gives best results treatment and has a more positive effect on the patient’s condition and life expectancy.

HAART includes several types of drugs that are combined with each other. As the virus gradually loses sensitivity to active ingredients, combinations are changed from time to time, which makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of treatment.

Several years ago, scientists presented synthetic drug Quad, which includes the main properties of prescribed drugs. A huge advantage of the medicine is taking only one tablet per day, which greatly facilitates treatment. This tool has practically no side effects, is easier to tolerate by the body, solves the problem of loss of sensitivity to active components.

Many patients are interested in whether it is possible to block the activity of the virus traditional methods and how to treat HIV infection at home? It should be remembered that such treatment is possible, but only if it is auxiliary and agreed with the treating doctor.

Traditional recipes are shown to strengthen protective forces body. These can be decoctions and infusions medicinal herbs, consumption of the gifts of nature, rich in vitamins, minerals and beneficial microelements.

Preventive measures

The immunodeficiency virus is a disease that can be prevented, but it cannot be cured. Today at developed countries Special programs have been developed aimed at preventing HIV and AIDS, the control of which is carried out at the state level. Every person should know the basics of preventive measures, since there is no guarantee that infection will not occur.

You can avoid serious pathology if you take responsibility for your own intimate life. You should avoid sexual contact with questionable people, and always use condoms when having sex with a new sexual partner about whose condition there is no reliable information.

It is important that the sexual partner is one and permanent, and has medical reports confirming the absence of HIV.

One of the popular myths is that a condom is unable to protect against the virus, since the latex pores are larger than the virus cells. This is wrong. To date barrier agents Contraception is the only way to prevent infection during sexual intercourse.

If a person suffers from drug addiction and injects drugs, he should always use disposable medical instruments, give injections with sterile gloves, have individual containers for preparation narcotic solution. To avoid becoming a victim of direct transmission of the virus through the blood, you should refuse blood transfusions.

To carry out procedures where there is access to blood, choose trusted establishments, ensure that their employees carry out all manipulations with gloves, and that instruments are disinfected in the presence of the client.

If HIV is present in a woman who is preparing to become a mother, the baby’s condition is monitored throughout the entire pregnancy. Reduces the risk of infection for a child C-section and refusal breastfeeding. It will be possible to determine the baby’s HIV status no earlier than six months later, when the mother’s antibodies to the virus leave the baby’s body.

Artificial insemination methods can prevent severe infection in a child.

The expectant HIV-positive mother should eliminate all factors that reduce the baby’s immunity: stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol, take more vitamins, cure all infectious and inflammatory diseases, carry out therapy for chronic ailments to prevent their recurrence during pregnancy.

By following these rules you can prevent infection dangerous pathology and prevent its transmission healthy people. Since the disease cannot be cured, the only way ridding the world of the virus is to block its spread.