In many countries HIV testing by ELISA (enzyme linked immuosobant assay) is free in Govt. hospitals and clinics. This is done to encourage people to test for HIV and help in prevention of the spread of this dreadful disease. But many people do not want to be tested in those Govt. hospitals and free clinics [...]
Archive for the ‘HIV/AIDS’ Category
3 Nov
Prevent HIV: Use Condoms
HIV infection and AIDS is now a global pandemic (pandemic is a disease which is a health problem in many countries of the world). Every individual in a community should have some basic knowledge about HIV and AIDS. This basic knowledge should be about its mode of transmission (how HIV spreads and which ways it [...]
11 Jul
Prevention of HIV Infection & its Spread
Education, counseling, and behavior modification are the three main angles of an HIV prevention triangle strategy. By behavior modification, it ideally means that one person should ideally have one sexual partner. If this type of modification is not possible, and which usually is not, “safer sex” practice should always be employed like, using a barrier [...]
11 Jul
HIV/AIDS Vaccine: a reality or a dream?
Human behavior, especially human sexual behavior, is extremely difficult to change. So, best modality for preventing the spread of HIV infection is the development of a safe and effective vaccine. Historically, vaccines have given us a safe, cost-effective, and efficient weapon for preventing disability, illness, and death from infectious diseases. Successful vaccines for the most [...]
10 Jul
Principles of treatment of HIV Patients
Early therapy is generally the rule in infectious diseases. But for the patients of HIV infection, immediate treatment of every HIV infected individual upon diagnosis may not be advisable and therapeutic decisions must take into account the balance between risks and benefits. It is reasonable to think that the complications associated with ARV therapy could [...]
9 Jul
General Principles of Patient Management
Government guidelines are there for the testing for HIV infection to be a part of routine medical care. The patient should be informed of the intention to test as is the case with other routine laboratory investigations and be given the opportunity to “opt out”. This routine approach is very important for the fact that [...]
8 Jul
Laboratory Monitoring of HIV Patients
The patients of HIV infection and AIDS require monitoring for optimal management. There is close relationship between clinical manifestations of HIV infection and CD4+T cell count; it has become a routine part of the evaluation of HIV infected individuals. CD4+ T cell counts and measurements of the levels of HIV RNA in serum or plasma [...]
7 Jul
Guideline for Doubtful HIV Positive Results
Treating doctor should follow the guideline given below in case of indeterminate EIA test result for HIV and/or “intermediate” Western blot test. If HIV infection is suspected in a patient the best initial test is EIA. It is very sensitive (no false negative) test. If the result of the EIA test is negative, the diagnosis [...]
6 Jul
Diagnosis of HIV Infection
Screening for HIV infection should be performed as a matter of routine health care. The diagnosis of HIV infection depends upon the demonstration of antibodies to HIV and the direct detection of HIV or one of its components or any one the above. Antibodies to HIV generally appear in the circulation 2 to12 weeks following [...]
5 Jul
Genetic Factors in HIV Disease
MHC Genes Many reports have suggested )MHC (major histocompatibility complex) genes and other host factors may influence the pathogenesis and course of HIV disease. These genes may influence clinical course like slow or rapid rates of progression from HIV to AIDS. Many mechanisms have been postulated whereby MHC encoded molecules may predispose an individual rapid [...]
