Clinical Overview of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
AIDS is caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) of type-I (HIV-1).
HIV-1 infects CD-4+ T-lymphocytes predominantly.
Depletion of CD4+ lymphocytes results in immunodeficiency.
The clinical picture of AIDS is the final phase of HIV infection and its manifestation with a wide spectrum of clinical disorders.
The majority of them is nonspecific.
Clinical manifestation of HIV infections in Children 1.
Persisting generalized lymphadenopathy.
This is one or more nodes having sizes more than 1cm and exist longer than 1 month (especially substantial is enlargement of auxiliary lymph nodes).
2.
Persisting hepatomegaly.
This is enlargement of the Liver, registered for 3 months and more.
3.
Persisting splenomegaly.
This is the enlargement of the spleen, registered for 3 months and more.
4.
Persisting diarrhea.
In such a situation, the stool is three times a day for more than a month.
5.
Fever.
Temperature would be 38 degrees celcius for 4 weeks and more, 2 and more episodes of fever of obscure nature.
6.
Persisting enlargement of salivary glands.
This occurs for 3 months and more.
7.
Thrombocytopenia.
This is amount of thrombocytes been less than 100,000 per ml of blood.
It can occur twice or more times.
8.
Serious bacterial infections.
Two or more episodes of exacerbation or chronization of an infection (for more than 3 days in spite of the treatment).
9.
Retardation of development.
Progressing hypotrophy and encephalopathy occurs.
10.
Persisting of recurring oral candidiasis/ This clinical situation lasts for 2 months and more or relapse after the course of eatment.
11.
Cardiomyopathy.
Multiple symptoms and signs of heart insufficiency.
12.
Nephropathy.
Nephrotic syndrome (proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, edemas etc) The typical case of pediatric HIV infection is a child born to a mother at risk who develops recurrent bacterial infections, thrush, failure to thrive, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly in the first few years of life.
However, both those who acquire HIV perinatally and those who acquire infection by transfusion may not present with symptoms until several years of age.
Bacterial infections The type of infections are similar to those in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia.
Infections with the encapsulated organisms.
Haemophilius influenza type B, streptococcus pneumoniae, and enteric gram-negative rods are common and can cause chronic or recurrent meningitis.
Malignant external otitis, a disease usually seen in older patients, also occurs.
Other common conditions include dermatitis, important pathogen.
Salmonella infections can be quite severe and may cause prolonged gastroenteritis or bacteremia: frequent relapses may occur.
Many of the usual childhood infections are seen in HIV infected patients, but they may be present in more severe form.
Oral candidiasis patients often have extensice thrush, in the absence of previous antibiotic therapy.
Infection may extend to the esophagus of the larynx and is resistant to the "usual forms of therapy.
Viral diseases such as herpes simplex, varicella, and measles can be quite aggressive in HIV infected children.
Herpes simplex may cause prolonged or recurrent Ulcerations and varicella may disseminate to cause pneumonia.
A unique feature in pediatric HIV infection is the development of parotitis, This can be chronic, with slow regressive, painless growth, or it can be acute, xiated with rapid enlargement, fever, and pain.
The etiology is unknown.
HIV-1 infects CD-4+ T-lymphocytes predominantly.
Depletion of CD4+ lymphocytes results in immunodeficiency.
The clinical picture of AIDS is the final phase of HIV infection and its manifestation with a wide spectrum of clinical disorders.
The majority of them is nonspecific.
Clinical manifestation of HIV infections in Children 1.
Persisting generalized lymphadenopathy.
This is one or more nodes having sizes more than 1cm and exist longer than 1 month (especially substantial is enlargement of auxiliary lymph nodes).
2.
Persisting hepatomegaly.
This is enlargement of the Liver, registered for 3 months and more.
3.
Persisting splenomegaly.
This is the enlargement of the spleen, registered for 3 months and more.
4.
Persisting diarrhea.
In such a situation, the stool is three times a day for more than a month.
5.
Fever.
Temperature would be 38 degrees celcius for 4 weeks and more, 2 and more episodes of fever of obscure nature.
6.
Persisting enlargement of salivary glands.
This occurs for 3 months and more.
7.
Thrombocytopenia.
This is amount of thrombocytes been less than 100,000 per ml of blood.
It can occur twice or more times.
8.
Serious bacterial infections.
Two or more episodes of exacerbation or chronization of an infection (for more than 3 days in spite of the treatment).
9.
Retardation of development.
Progressing hypotrophy and encephalopathy occurs.
10.
Persisting of recurring oral candidiasis/ This clinical situation lasts for 2 months and more or relapse after the course of eatment.
11.
Cardiomyopathy.
Multiple symptoms and signs of heart insufficiency.
12.
Nephropathy.
Nephrotic syndrome (proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, edemas etc) The typical case of pediatric HIV infection is a child born to a mother at risk who develops recurrent bacterial infections, thrush, failure to thrive, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly in the first few years of life.
However, both those who acquire HIV perinatally and those who acquire infection by transfusion may not present with symptoms until several years of age.
Bacterial infections The type of infections are similar to those in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia.
Infections with the encapsulated organisms.
Haemophilius influenza type B, streptococcus pneumoniae, and enteric gram-negative rods are common and can cause chronic or recurrent meningitis.
Malignant external otitis, a disease usually seen in older patients, also occurs.
Other common conditions include dermatitis, important pathogen.
Salmonella infections can be quite severe and may cause prolonged gastroenteritis or bacteremia: frequent relapses may occur.
Many of the usual childhood infections are seen in HIV infected patients, but they may be present in more severe form.
Oral candidiasis patients often have extensice thrush, in the absence of previous antibiotic therapy.
Infection may extend to the esophagus of the larynx and is resistant to the "usual forms of therapy.
Viral diseases such as herpes simplex, varicella, and measles can be quite aggressive in HIV infected children.
Herpes simplex may cause prolonged or recurrent Ulcerations and varicella may disseminate to cause pneumonia.
A unique feature in pediatric HIV infection is the development of parotitis, This can be chronic, with slow regressive, painless growth, or it can be acute, xiated with rapid enlargement, fever, and pain.
The etiology is unknown.
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