HIV - Transmission and prevention

HIV is found in blood, semen / sperm, vaginal fluids and breast milk. Therefore, it can only be transmitted from person to person when one of the four types of fluids on HIV enters a person is inside the body of an uninfected person ...
How is HIV transmitted?
The easiest path of infection when the virus is HIV-infected people go directly into the bloodstream of the uninfected. For example, using and sharing needles with infected people or cylinder through a blood transfusion with HIV.
HIV can be transmitted through sexual behavior. Sex acts anal unprotected sex with HIV / AIDS spread most easily. Rectal mucosa are fragile, easily scratched or damaged when having anal sex. This time the damage will be opening for the type of STI (diseases transmitted through sexual contact) and HIV in the semen of the blood enters another person - in the case of two people having sex without protection defense. Sex anal therefore at risk of HIV infection and STI. The recipient of semen in the anus relations at risk than people.
Next is the relationship unprotected vaginal. Although lower than the risk of anal relations but relations vaginal HIV transmission is most common in the world. Chance of an HIV-infected men transmit HIV to uninfected female partners is greater than vice versa because the vaginal mucosa in women, where the virus enters the body has a larger area and vulnerable trade than the rules of the penis.
The probability of spread through oral sex is much lower. There was some evidence that HIV can be transmitted through oral sex but this possibility is very small. The infection can only occur when there are bleeding gums or mouth injuries, and disease risk in people who receive higher. However, these other STI such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes and syphilis are easily transmitted through oral sex.
HIV is also spread from mother to child HIV-positive during pregnancy, at birth or through breastfeeding.
Will the HIV infection?
No known cure for HIV. This is why HIV prevention has become extremely important. So do not do anything to HIV infection:
No sex (vaginal intercourse, oral, anal). This is a method quite effective HIV prevention. But for many people this is not a viable solution because sex is part of life.
If your sex life needs:
- We fish from both sides (both do not know for sure when infected with HIV). Fidelity which is a virtue that Vietnam was the constant attention. Even without considering the ethical aspects can also be seen as a faithful bring many benefits. In modern times, faithful not only protection but also happiness can protect human health. If a spouse or lover, the more you should value more the faithful.
 The HIV transmission.
- Use a condom for each sex: condoms can be considered a "bodyguard" if we used condoms and used properly. It helps us avoid HIV and many other problems, including diseases transmitted through sexual contact. The simple reason that most need to use condoms is that we can not know other people have HIV or not, even HIV-infected persons most likely did not know they are infected. So if you have sex, remember one very important thing is: You can ensure that no HIV infection by always using a condom.
- Do not share needles or cylinders (if you are injecting drug users).
The behavior for HIV infection
- Kiss and hug: This behavior does not make the virus from blood or semen of infected persons entering the other person's body is.
- Mosquito bites: HIV does not survive long outside the human body. Besides mosquitoes do not suck their blood and release into the body of the other - they suck blood and "digested" blood. "H-Human" in HIV means "people". Thus the virus can only survive in the human body only.
- Shared bath with HIV: For fluids of infected persons can not enter the body through the tub is not infected.
- Sharing toothbrushes with people infected with HIV: Almost never happen HIV infection by sharing household items. HIV can not survive long outside the human body. After leaving the body of the people infected, the virus must find a way into the body to live another day - this can not happen without sex or sharing needles used.
- Sharing of razors and other sharp items: In theory, if there is fresh blood to stick sharp instruments and soon after this device is a non infected person use or risk being stabbed immediately infection can occur. But in fact, no one has been infected this way. But to be safe we ​​should recommend that people infected do not share razors with other people.
- The normal contact other: all types of casual contact such as eating together, even shared clothes, shared swimming pool, in the same house, sharing a bed (of course not sex), as agencies work together, sharing toilets, hair cut ... does not make anyone infected with HIV.

Vaccine HIV

The potential for vaccine prevention first

   The scientists from the Research Council of the Supreme Science (CSIC) in Spain is testing a vaccine to prevent HIV, there has been very positive effect through volunteer participants in vaccine -please.

   After a year of testing MVA-B vaccine in humans, 95% of 24 patients were able to generate immune system against viruses; 85% of them maintain this system in a year.

   The principal use of vaccines is to stimulate the production of B lymphocytes - machine producing antibodies that attack HIV, preventing the virus to infect healthy cells.

   Mariano Esteban, who led the research said: "Characteristics of the immune system MVA-B, initially achieved the necessary requirements for an effective vaccine against HIV. Although not remove virus from the body, the immune system response thanks to vaccines, thereby controlling the virus by attacking infected cells. "

   The testing will continue in phase II and III to ensure real effectiveness and put into mass production.

   The previous drug testing results only for about 25%. However, this vaccine strains with a specificity of HIV subtypes prevalent in Europe, South America and North America.

These important discoveries about HIV treatment in 2012

Along with the advancement of medicine and desire to conquer the disease, in 2012 marked many breakthroughs in the treatment of HIV.

HIV-infected mothers can still breastfeed

   Previously, for HIV-infected mothers, doctors usually recommend the selection of children drinking milk instead of breastfeeding to reduce the risk of infection. However, according to new research published in the workshop and the retro virus infections (CROI) 18th in Boston (USA) in May 3-2011, providing for infants in a daily dose of nevirapine throughout the first six months will halve the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child.

   Even those mothers with a high proportion of T cells, can decrease to 75%. The effectiveness of this method the higher the number in previous studies with nevirapine use short time days (about 6 or 15 weeks - the method of Pepi-Malawi).

   However, there is a restriction only applies to the treatment of mothers with CD4 cell percentage greater than 350 and not made treatment with anti-retro viral (HIV most common form).

   Thus, the mother is comfortable with certain breastfeeding breastfeeding to ensure that the valuable nutrients.

   Although still at risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding mother, but another study indicated, the antibodies in breast milk, when isolated, can kill HIV and HIV infected cells . If, however, is integrated in breast milk, these antibodies have limited the virus is very low due to the different antibody called IgG. Scientists are trying to increase computing capacity of anti-HIV antibodies in breast milk.

We have scientific bases to put an end to HIV / AIDS

                                                    Mr. Antony Fauci The Forum Conference

Anthony Fauci, director of the Research Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases America (NIAID), one of the scientists leading the HIV / AIDS, said so at the Plenary Session of the International Conference XIX th on HIV / AIDS (taking place in Washington) on the morning of Monday, 7/23/2012
In his speech, Mr. Anthony Fauci spent a considerable amount to where things that mankind has made in the fight against HIV, which he said there were many important advance in each stage to reach the significant progress today.
First of all, that human understanding of HIV replication in cells and can say this is "the most important factor in scientific progress which we have accumulated." This understanding has helped us identify some "vulnerability" of HIV and thus be regarded as a kind of basic scientific knowledge to design interventions should be mainly in the field of prevention and HIV / AIDS.
The next significant step was the invention of antiretroviral drugs (ARV) first, known as Zidovudine (AZT), have provided a "glimmer of hope" for the treatment of AIDS. However, due to limited effect institutions should not affect large AZT, did not last and a few years back has been replaced by treatment combination of two drugs.
Mark a breakthrough in the study therapy is recognized AIDS Conference XI th International HIV / AIDS, held in Vancouver (Canada) in 1996. It is a method of treatment of three ARV combination, because it has made the load of HIV in the blood drops below undetectable levels and remain so for a long time. It can be said treatment drug combination 03 has opened a new era in the treatment of AIDS and it has contributed to changing the lives of millions of people infected with HIV.
Thanks to the success of scientific research, to date we have over 30 approved drugs to treat AIDS. However, Mr. A. Fauci said that we can not stop here because there are still many who do not respond to these drugs, and we must take the drugs longer effective.
Mr. A. Fauci said that in the early stages of HIV / AIDS, nearly half of his patients die within 6 to 8 months from when they went to the first examination. But now, if a person is infected with HIV at age 25 entered the clinic of the National Institute of Health USA (NIH) or anywhere else that offers services and be treated with ARV therapy mixed method drug, then we (doctors) can confidently look into the eyes of patients and said if they comply with good treatment, they can live another 50 years.
The move followed the recent studies demonstrate that antiretroviral drugs can reduce the risk of HIV transmission from HIV-infected persons to their uninfected partners, if their partner is HIV-infected Daily use and antiretroviral adherence. This method is called prophylactic treatment before exposure to HIV.
Together with research and development of drug therapy, vaccine research has been strengthened and has already achieved some steady progress, encouraging, though still not enough to be able to go to production of a vaccine effective against HIV. It means very much to do.
One of the 02 biggest problems to be solved to eliminate HIV / AIDS (the first issue is to develop vaccines as mentioned above) is to find ways to cure AIDS. Mr. A. Fauci said that this is a "major scientific challenge," but can still accomplish. Until now, scientists still are focusing all efforts to work in several directions with the scientific basis, such as looking to types of HIV from the body, or to enhance the body's immune system to deal with HIV, or somehow alter the body's cells are resistant to HIV ...
Thus, according to Mr. A. Fauci, today, a day of July 2012, we can say that we have the science to advance the goals of ending AIDS. However, that goal will not happen spontaneously, but many, very many countries, many areas have a lot of work to do.

Many new hope for AIDS patients

Many new hope for AIDS patients
TT - A series of studies 26-7 today announced that the new method of treating AIDS and HIV virus conquer has brought positive results.

AFP said that a study focused on 12 patients in France. This group started treatment with antiviral drugs within 10 weeks after infection with HIV. After three years, they stopped treatment. The results of this patient group but does not eliminate the HIV virus completely but only a very small level of virus in the cells and not transferred to AIDS six years have passed though.

Head of research group belonging to the French National AIDS Research (ANRS) Charline Bacchus said after six years of cessation of treatment, patients are treated early have shown the ability to manage perfectly HIV virus. Scientists continue to study the immunological characteristics of those in order to find clues on why they did not need prolonged treatment. Most AIDS patients using anti-virus to life.

Another study involving two people who are HIV-positive stem cell transplantation from donor sources for treatment of leukemia. After eight months, one had no trace of virus in the body. The rest took 17 months.

The researchers also believe that the continuation of two patients treated with antiviral drugs will help the cells to be infected they can give the body a new immune system. A study published another drug used to treat cancer HIV virus purified from cells of patients.

9 things to know

9 things to people newly diagnosed with HIV infection
Today, HIV is no longer considered a more deadly disease, which is recognized as a chronic disease can be controlled. Has made significant progress in the treatment of HIV in the next 5 years, and certainly there will be new changes to speed very quickly in the future.

However, HIV is no joke. According to the latest knowledge, this infection take it meant that throughout the rest of your life. There are no therapies that help cure completely. Just like diabetes, HIV infection can cause serious complications if not treated properly. The more we know about HIV and how to actively participate in treatment, the more chance you will maintain your health and not complicated.

1. See your doctor regularly: After learning that you are HIV positive, it is important that you must see a doctor regularly. Typically, this means that every 2-3 months, although at first you may need more frequent visits. There, you will learn a lot about HIV and the appropriate treatment plan. In addition, you will also learn about the T cells, the immune system ... Take regular check-ups help you to closely monitor their immune status, as well as update the new advances in treating HIV.
2. When to start treatment? Before making the decision form of treatment is right for you, you'll have to do blood tests to determine whether it should be treated immediately or you can wait a while longer. Together with new insights about HIV and its response to the drug, the treatment guidelines have changed. For example, three years ago, most experts agree that all people with HIV should be treated aggressively as soon as possible, even when diagnosed, under the motto "Hit Hard, Hit Early" . Currently, this is no longer consistent with everyone again. Depending on the number of T lymphocytes (CD4) and HIV viral load in blood, the doctor will determine whether you are safe if you just keep watching without antiretroviral therapy, or to start treatment right away News.
3. Select the initial antiviral therapy: If you still can keep track without treatment, you need regular blood tests, about 3 months / time. If the index on the levels of HIV and other immune cells that need to start treatment right away, let your doctor choose the most appropriate method. There are many drugs have been approved and many others are in the process of research and development. They are often used in groups of 3-4 general medicine.

4. Compliance with strict doctor's prescription - the secret of success: It is very important you need to thoroughly understand at this point is to determine to carry out the instructions of the physician. If you start therapy, but not strictly directed by the physician, the virus will have the opportunity to become drug-resistant and not be completely suppressed in your body. If you do not see the importance of this or feel that you have not already, please discuss this with your doctor. The non-medication as directed by your doctor in the unit may cause more harm than benefit.
5. Learn the side effects of drugs: each drug and each drug class have undesirable effects, which appear soon after starting treatment. Your doctor will instruct you how to control these effects ohu. Some drugs may cause dangerous side effects, life-threatening, you should learn how to quickly identify and report symptoms to your doctor immediately. However, these side effects are rare and can not stop your treatment determination. The treatment can bring long-term side effects, but there is still no clear signs of this by the HIV virus itself or caused by drugs. There is clear that HIV progresses to AIDS more dangerous than the side effects of drugs can occur.
6. Vaccination to prevent infection: Whether you are starting treatment or delay, the doctor will recommend a series of vaccinations to prevent diseases such as measles, mumps, tetanus and other viral diseases, like when your child been vaccinated. These diseases can be life-threatening or cause your immune system to very high price. Normally, it takes 6 months to complete this shot. You should try to get vaccinated in time.

7. Be careful not to spread HIV to others: Once you know their HIV infection, you will think about the steps you need to do to prevent leg risk of spreading the virus to others. Your family, lovers and members of the same room as you can very worried about this. Do not be afraid, be candid talk with your doctor about safe sex. In general, sexual activity leads to an exchange of body fluids of HIV spread more easily, other forms are less likely to transmit HIV. In addition to safe sex, do not share needles. Because HIV is spread very easily through blood and blood products to all those who are not HIV infected blood donors. In the community, still exists the misconception about the spread of HIV. For example, some people still believe that HIV can infect another person if eating dishes, using the same glass, or sanitary pads sit. That's not how the spread of HIV.
8. Plays an active role in HIV treatment: Be aware that you will have to live with HIV during their lifetime. Learn about HIV and treatment. Do not entrust his life to HIV, unless you want it.
9. Find someone to confide: Many people do not want anyone to know that they are infected with HIV. However, with time, most of them found at least 1 or 2 people they can trust. Finding support from others is very important. If you do not have family, look to the support team. You will feel less alone and have peace of mind knowing that their predecessors had the road you are going.
CONCLUSION: Today, in many cases, HIV was considered a manageable disease. The more learned a lot about HIV and intermediate steps to control the virus in the body, the more chance you have a normal life.

For scientists, HIV therapies mean?

HIV therapies method can eliminate HIV from whole cells of the body or set up an immune response strong enough to control HIV may not need to use drugs. The difficulty in removing HIV from the body is the virus remains latent in CD4 cells over the years but go undetected by the immune system. Only when those cells are activated by an external agent, they will begin production of HIV. These cells form a "reservoir" latent virus with thousands of cells can cause rebound after HIV antiretroviral therapy stopped. It will activate the infected cells, causing a resurgence of HIV.

The case of Timothy Brown is just one example of HIV therapy has been scientifically confirmed. However, this case also raises questions about the definition of what HIV therapies. Scientists say up to 2 results from the study of therapy: a virus is eliminated from the body; two therapies is functional, ie a small amount of virus remains now, but can still be controlled without medication.

The researchers said that in HIV patients Berlin case represents the first example of the elimination of HIV. But documents recently presented at "International Conference on Drug-resistant virus and Hepatitis and HIV therapy", held in Sitges, Spain last June that a number of rooms experiments testing blood and tissue samples of patients Berlin and found a very low amount of HIV DNA and RNA has existed for many years after receiving treatment. This proves that HIV is not completely removed from the patient's body. However, these samples but also some other laboratories can not detect HIV.

Professor Sharon Lewin's Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, said: "I feel this test is incorrect. DNA and RNA samples were tested in the laboratory has extensive experience in this area but the results were inconsistent. " According to him, can not have a virus infection or have been restored to the level of detection. "If the result is accurate, we will have a great example for therapeutic functional."

Dr. Steve Deeks said the discovery of evidence related to the existence of HIV in the above case has brought three messages. First, there should be more sensitive tests to assess the HIV research eliminated. Second, the immune response may be only the most important measure to evaluate the effectiveness of a therapeutic function. Antibody levels of Timothy Brown continues to show no reduction of HIV is growing enough to stimulate the immune response. Finally, all clinical signs show that the patient is recovering well without antiviral treatment. Again shows the existence of low-level HIV does not cause any injury to the body.

Indeed, for all types of cells can HIV infection, therapy may be functional more feasible and also satisfy people with HIV, depending on how it affects everyday life to what extent their day.

"Recently I asked some people in Asia that they want something. They say 'A therapy that they can stop.' " Professor Francoise Barre-Sinoussi said at a press conference.
On the other hand, research conducted with people living with HIV in the Netherlands showed that the patient wants a treatment therapy can eliminate long-term health damage, side effects, stop discrimination and the risk of infecting your partner. Fred Verdult He said the conference "Towards an HIV therapies" that, when asked to rank the benefits in terms of psychological health and, those infected with HIV evaluation of psychological benefits for a highly therapeutic.

A therapeutic function or terminate therapy of AIDS will depend on access to HIV patients, including those who recognize the disease and those who are carrying does not recognize itself is the illness.

Berlin patient, Timothy Brown was inspired for this idea

Map "Route to HIV therapy" marks a significant change in the scientific consensus regarding the feasibility of studies of HIV therapy. More than 4 years, funds were directed to begin intensive studies, contributing directly to HIV treatment. The world started to pay attention to the case of the Berlin patient, Timothy Brown, who claimed to have cured HIV patients after chemotherapy, immunosuppressive therapy and bone marrow transplant from a donor with a strength and rare genetic resistance against HIV.

"I think not everyone is willing to go through what he went through during this treatment, but it has inspired the idea of ​​an HIV therapies," said Dr. Steven Deeks, University of California , San Francisco said at a press conference launched the study of HIV therapy on an international scale.

Route to HIV therapy

Professor Francoise Barre-Sinoussi presented at the meeting "Route to HIV therapy." Photo: aids2012.

At the International AIDS Conference took place 19th in Washington, U.S. scientists have launched a research map HIV therapies in order to solicit funding for research to find ways to help patients to live longer though not completely eliminate HIV disease in the body.

Russia's HIV medicines

Last year, media reports have been the great scientific discovery of the Urals - drugs "Profetal", made on the basis of the protein alpha-fetoprotein is possible to provide treatment from the worst evils of our time - hepatitis C, HIV, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Production of extensive medical treatment was given in this winter in factories Novouralsk "Medsintez", however, to this day drugs are not available. Why scientists and delay the production of "Profetalya" and hope to come true if you have cancer, HIV and hepatitis C