Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome : AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The illness alters the immune system, making people much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. This susceptibility worsens as the disease progresses.
HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person (semen and vaginal fluids, blood and breast milk). The virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood and sexual contact. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy, delivering the baby during childbirth, and through breast feeding.
HIV is transmitted primarily via unprotected sexual intercourse (including anal and oral sex), contaminated blood transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Some bodily fluids, such as saliva and tears, do not transmit HIV.
Drugs for HIV infection
1. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor - Zidovudine, abacavir, didanosine, emtricitabine, lamivudine, stavudine, and tenofovir.
2. Protease inhibitors - amprenavir, atazanavir, fosamprenavir (a pro-drug of amprenavir), indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, and tipranavir.
3. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors - efavirenz and nevirapine
4. Drug which inhibits HIV from fusing to the host cell - Enfuvirtide
Polycythemia vera : Polycythemia vera is a disease in which too many red blood cells are made in the bone marrow.
In polycythemia vera, the blood becomes thickened with too many red blood cells. The number of white blood cells and platelets may also increase. These extra blood cells may collect in the spleen and cause it to swell. The increased number of red blood cellsor platelets in the blood can cause bleeding problems and make clots form in blood vessels. This can increase the risk of stroke or heart attack. In patients who are older than 65 years or who have a history of blood clots, the risk of stroke or heart attack is higher. Patients also have an increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia or primary myelofibrosis.
Symptoms
• Breathing difficulty when lying down
• Dizziness
• Excessive bleeding
• Fullness in the left upper abdomen (due to enlarged spleen)
• Headache
• Itchiness, especially after a warm bath
• Red coloring, especially of the face
• Shortness of breath
• Symptoms of phlebitis
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:
• Bluish skin color
• Fatigue
• Red skin spots
• Vision problems
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to reduce the thickness of the blood and prevent bleeding and clotting.
A method called phlebotomy is used to decrease blood thickness. One unit of blood (about 1 pint) is removed weekly until the hematocrit level is less than 45 (males) or 42 (females). Then therapy is continued as needed.
Occasionally, chemotherapy (specifically hydroxyurea) may be given to reduce the number of red blood cells made by the bone marrow. Interferon may also be given to lower blood counts. A medicine called anagrelide may be given to lower platelet counts.
Some patients are advised to take aspirin to reduce the risk of blood clots, though it increases the risk for stomach bleeding. Ultraviolet-B light therapy can reduce the severe itching some patients experience.