It is the causative agent of HIV infection. The disease begins from the moment a person becomes infected and lasts until his death. The time from the moment of infection until the first signs appear is the incubation period of HIV.
Development of infection
For HIV infection, development is characterized as a long-term course of the disease with increasing destruction of the immune system, which further leads to the development of oncological and opportunistic diseases.
The course of the disease includes several stages: the incubation period of early clinical manifestations, the latent period of secondary diseases and the terminal period (AIDS).
A person infected with the virus is contagious at all stages of the development of the disease. But it poses a particular danger during the period of the acute course of the disease and during the final period. At this time, there is a progressive multiplication of the virus.
Infection routes
You can become infected with HIV from a previously infected person through sexual intercourse, namely, through improper use of a condom. This is the most common method of infection.
There is a possibility of infection through saliva during kissing or oral sex. But this is permissible if there is damage to the mucous membrane, there is a risk of infection through the blood.
There is a possibility of contracting HIV through blood: through a transfusion procedure, through untreated medical instruments, for example, when using the same syringe with an infected person, which often occurs among drug addicts.
Infection is transmitted during pregnancy and childbirth from an infected mother to her child, as well as through breastfeeding.
The infection is not transmitted in the household way, since HIV bacteria are not very resistant to the environment and die in it after a few hours.
HIV infections
After the moment of infection, the incubation period of HIV begins. The duration of the incubation period for each person is individual - from two weeks to a year and depends on the state of the person's immunity. As statistics show, the average duration is three months.
HIV infection, penetrating into the human body, causes a response in it in the form of antibodies to the pathogen. The incubation period of HIV is the interval between the introduction of the virus and the appearance of antibodies to it.
Swollen lymph nodes;
Malaise, drowsiness;
Fever;
Headaches;
Pain in the eye socket, light sensitivity of the eyes;
Rashes and various skin rashes;
Runny nose, cough.
These symptoms spontaneously go away after two to four weeks, after which a period of latent disease occurs, which drags on for many years. On average, an HIV-infected patient lasts 12 years. In most cases, this is the period of abatement of the disease.
The next stage is the period of secondary diseases, which is accompanied by the manifestation of concomitant diseases that do not harm a person with a healthy immune system. Emerging diseases begin to destroy the body from the inside.
The next and last stage of development is AIDS, which lasts from 0.5 to 2 years. At this stage, the central nervous system, intestines, lungs, mucous membranes, and skin are most affected. Viruses and bacteria are activated that do not previously bring any harm to humans. It is these reactions of the body that cause the death of a person.
Treatment
At the moment, no treatment has yet been developed to eliminate HIV infection from the body. Modern techniques are based on highly effective antiretroviral therapy, which slows down and stops the course of the infection, as well as its further transition to the last stage. This allows a person with HIV to live a full life.
Together with the prescribed therapy, maintaining the health of the carrier virus is important. To do this, they recommend proper nutrition, avoiding stressful situations, good and healthy sleep, prolonged exposure to the sun, giving up bad habits, sports activities, as well as constant examination (2 to 4 times a year) by specialist doctors.
The incubation period of HIV infection indicates infection with a dangerous disease after contact with a carrier of the virus or an AIDS patient.
The pathogen in both cases is already contained in the patient's blood, it is isolated from saliva, sweat, lacrimal fluid or milk of a nursing mother. It is the blood that contains a significant concentration of the infectious agent that poses a particular danger. Infection occurs through sexual contact, the virus spreads through the bloodstream, through the placenta during childbirth, with breast milk.
Non-sterile syringes used by drug addicts, as well as instruments used for acupuncture, caesarean section, tattooing, blood transfusion, are a source of AIDS infection.
The incubation period for HIV infection can range from 1 week to 6-10 years. Persons facing risk factors and suspecting the possibility of infection with the virus are examined during the development of the incubation period of HIV infection. Many patients look healthy outwardly, but for many years they have been a source of infection for partners who come into direct contact with them.
The incubation period in pregnant women
Expectant mothers infected with the virus expose the fetus to the danger associated with placental transmission of the infectious agent. HIV infection contributes to the appearance of gestosis in pregnant women. They develop viruses of one of two types: HIV-1 or HIV-2. In the second case, the incubation period is longer, and the virus itself has little variability.
In the early period, a restructuring of the immune system begins in an infected pregnant woman: the number of globulins increases, the function of lymphocytes is disrupted, the synthesis of cells that destroy a dangerous virus changes. In the absence of clinical symptoms of the disease, the virus spreads with the blood flow throughout the body of a pregnant woman, maintaining activity and viability in the cells and blood plasma. Mutations of the pathogen are possible during the incubation period if it is in the lacrimal fluid, urine or saliva.
Often, pregnant women experience unpleasant symptoms in the latent phase of the disease associated with exacerbation of other STIs. If childbirth occurs during the incubation period, HIV-infected women can develop pneumonia.
Signs of HIV in children
The child has pronounced individual characteristics of the disease, which depend on the route of transmission of the virus and the time of infection. If infection occurs during the formation of the embryo, significant changes occur during the incubation period, causing a delay in fetal development and the appearance of microcephaly.
Not only the appearance of the baby changes, he also has respiratory disorders, an imbalance occurs in the composition of the formed elements of the blood. Long before the onset of the clinical phase of AIDS, the child is worried about increased fatigue, symptoms of the development of an acute respiratory infection.
The rapid progression of the disease begins after the incubation period, at 6 - 9 months of the child's life. Parents are faced with long-term candidiasis in the mouth or intestinal dysbiosis.The child lags behind in development from peers, does not gain weight. Often, the doctor notes an increase in the size of the liver and spleen in a small patient.
If the infection occurred in the womb, the incubation period of the disease is significantly reduced, the clinical picture is accompanied by diarrhea, rashes on the baby's skin, and enlarged lymph nodes.
Methods for diagnosing AIDS in adults
Often, an HIV-infected patient during the development of the incubation period suspects that he has such diseases as:
- malignant tumor;
- pneumonia;
- infectious mononucleosis.
Only a comprehensive examination can establish the correct diagnosis - AIDS. But it is the secondary clinical symptoms, such as cough, minor skin rashes, fungal lesions of the oral cavity, that indicate the development of the incubation period, which is caused by HIV infection.
If AIDS is suspected, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics even before the onset of clinical symptoms of the disease. In the incubation period, when there are no obvious manifestations of the disease, toxic substances already affect the vascular wall and penetrate the patient's blood.
In older people, the manifestations of multiple sclerosis increase, the occurrence of which the patient associates with age-related changes. Often there is weakness in the muscles of the lower extremities and a slight visual disturbance, accompanied by the appearance of "flies" before the eyes.
Reasons for the development of the incubation period in HIV infection
The disease lasts for many years, and the cause of infection is sexual contact with a virus carrier or an AIDS patient.
The incubation period appears after infection that occurs during the use of a dirty syringe that has been used by an addict.
Practiced oral contact is closely related to possible infection, especially dangerous if the partner's oral mucosa is damaged. The immunodeficiency virus in the latency period always changes the work of cells in the human body, turning many organs into a springboard for the reproduction of new microorganisms.
The prodromal period occurs after repeated sex with an HIV-infected partner 30 days after contact. The greatest number of the virus is found in the patient's blood at the end of the latent period of the disease.
The only manifestation of HIV infection within 5-10 years can only be enlarged lymph nodes, sufficiently dense and painless. The diagnosis is established by carefully studying the patient's history, detecting antigens or the virus itself in the patient's blood.
Dates of the incubation period in risk groups
In persons who use drugs, the latent period of the disease lasts up to 1 year, rarely up to 5 years. The introduction of the virus into the patient's body from the risk group leads to the development of many diseases associated with a weakened immune system: Kaposi's sarcoma, cryptosporidiosis, pneumonia.
In a group of drug addicts who take a dose of a substance from one syringe, the incubation period develops immediately after the virus enters the bloodstream. In the body of a drug addict, the most favorable conditions are created for the development of the causative agent of the disease. With re-infection, the incubation period lasts for a short time.
A detailed clinical picture of the disease is always associated with the poor living conditions of drug addicts. Very often, infection occurs in persons with high sexual activity and practicing group contact. In the incubation period, drug users are always distributors of HIV infection.
Blood test for HIV during the incubation period
It is possible to avoid the rapid onset of unpleasant consequences by patients who donate blood on time for the presence of the pathogen. The duration of the incubation period depends on the state of the patient's immune system. Babies have a short latency period, and chronic drug addicts have an accelerated mechanism for producing antibodies after infection with the virus.
A blood test is taken 90 days after a possible contact with an AIDS patient. The human immune system produces antibodies that indicate a positive result. Often, to confirm infection with a dangerous disease, it is necessary to donate blood from a vein again after 6 months. The test results in many cases indicate the presence of an incubation period in the patient's body. An enzyme immunoassay is performed repeatedly, with an interval of 3 months between each blood sampling. The standard ELISA scheme for the expectant mother is three times blood donation at different stages of pregnancy.
Having studied the information about HIV infection, it is possible to prevent the rapid development of severe consequences, and timely conduct an effective course of treatment.
HIV infection is a dangerous disease that, if left untreated, can be fatal. The danger of the disease is that the incubation period of HIV can be asymptomatic. It is important to undergo a thorough diagnosis and know how long it takes for the signs of HIV to appear in order to recognize it in the initial stages. In this article, you will find out how long it takes for HIV infection to appear and when signs of infection appear.
You suspect that you have contracted HIV. Your bones ache, your temperature has risen, your cough bothers you, and besides, there was unprotected contact ... Let's figure out what kind of infection it is worth starting treatment.
In everyday life, you cannot get an infection. In most cases, infection is sexually transmitted. The virus can be transmitted not only from man to woman and from woman to man, but also from man to man and from woman to woman. In this case, the question arises: "How long after contact can HIV be detected?" Usually, after 1-2 months, tests show the presence of the virus in the blood.
You can get infected when the blood of an HIV-infected or AIDS patient enters the body of a healthy person. For example, during a blood transfusion. The disease can be transmitted to a child from an HIV-infected mother.
Important!!! Always use a condom during intercourse, this is the most reliable remedy for infection.
Reasons: how long does HIV manifest itself
The main cause of HIV infection is weak immunity. The stronger the immunity of a healthy person, the lower the risk of infection through contact with an HIV-infected person. There is no definite answer to the question of how long it takes to do the test after infection. In most cases, it will take at least 3-4 weeks for the tests to detect antibodies to HIV. Therefore, information about how much HIV manifests itself may become relevant only after the infection manifests itself. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the human body.
First symptoms: how quickly HIV manifests itself
The development of the disease in women and men lasts several months. The question of how long it takes for HIV to appear after infection is very important, because it is much more effective to start treatment at an early stage. In men, HIV develops, lasts and manifests itself in the same way as the incubation period in women.
The first symptoms of HIV appear at an early stage, they include: high fever, coughing, fatigue. It is impossible to answer unequivocally how long HIV manifests itself, since in some people symptoms may appear after a month, and in others years later.
How long is the incubation period of HIV
The duration of the incubation period of HIV infection can reach several months, it depends on many factors, for example, the age of the person and the state of his immune system. In adults, the incubation period for AIDS is usually less than 2 months. This is due to strong immunity, due to which the body's reaction manifests itself quickly.
The development of the incubation period causes an active blood reaction to the virus. During this period, antibodies are actively produced, which causes the manifestation of symptoms of the disease. Many people have no symptoms during this period. The incubation period for HIV infection can be pronounced, that is, all the symptoms inherent in this disease are easily diagnosed.
The period of secondary manifestations: after how many days can HIV be determined
The doctor examines a drop of the patient's blood, which can tell which disease has attacked your body In most cases, it is the manifestations in the second phase that push the person to undergo diagnosis. The presence of the virus in the blood can cause many diseases. The disease is manifested by the following symptoms:
- cough, shortness of breath;
- being infected with other infections (such as herpes);
- problems with the nervous system (stress, depression);
- kaposi sarcoma.
Asymptomatic stage: how much HIV may not show?
The virus develops gradually, 3-4 months after infection, the stage of an asymptomatic course begins. It is dangerous because during this period the patient does not even know about the infection, since there are no characteristic signs. The only possible symptoms are enlarged lymph nodes, which are painless. The duration of this stage is at least 1-2 years.
It looks like the bloodstream in which the human immunodeficiency virus began to develop How long does AIDS manifest itself: symptoms and stages of the disease
The likelihood of HIV infection depends on the routes of infection: when the blood of an infected person enters the body of a healthy person, it is much higher than with unprotected intercourse. The risk of infection increases with multiple changes of sexual partners. After 2-5 weeks after infection, the first symptoms of a decrease in immunity begin to appear (for example, flu).
But it happens that the symptoms are completely absent. This characterizes the primary infection, antibodies against HIV are produced in the human body, they can be detected using a serological test. The incubation period for AIDS lasts from several weeks to 12 months and may not appear in any way.
Clinically advanced HIV infection AIDS
The incubation period for HIV infection lasts from 1 month to 1 year. It is impossible to answer unequivocally when the syndrome (AIDS) of immunodeficiency manifests itself, but usually at 3 stages (with the progression of the disease within 8-12 years), the immune system undergoes serious shocks, the body weakens significantly. And at the 4th stage, AIDS develops. Let us consider in more detail what are the symptoms of AIDS.
Opportunistic infections
When infected with HIV, the body's immune system is significantly weakened, therefore it is exposed to negative influences from the environment. During the incubation period, symptoms of infection with microorganisms (bacteria and viruses) appear. They depend on what kind of microorganism struck the body. In most cases, there are problems with the digestive and respiratory system.
Tumor diseases
Most often, with HIV, Kaposi's angiosarcoma is detected. This type of cancer affects over 30% of people with AIDS. Visually presents small spots on the skin that have a brown or purple color. They pose a danger to many internal organs.
Other manifestations
Many people with AIDS develop problems with the neurological system (over 85%). These problems are accompanied by the following symptoms: impaired coordination of movements, blurred vision, stress and problems with speech.
How blood is donated to detect HIV infection
Diagnosis of HIV is carried out by the venous system. It is recommended to go through it after repeated unprotected sex (after a few weeks). A blood test can determine the presence of infection and the stage of the disease. The virus can be transmitted to the child from the mother, therefore, after the birth of the baby, it is important to monitor his health.
Research results
The laboratory diagnostic method is quite effective, the results are prepared within 7-10 days. The research results can be as follows:
- If ELISA is positive, the result is confirmed by PCR analysis.
- If the PCR test is positive, then the virus cells are definitely in the body.
- If the ELISA test is negative, it is established that the patient is healthy.
- If, after a negative ELISA, the patient had a repeated risk of infection (for example, unprotected intercourse), then after 3-6 months it is recommended to do the examination again.
Blood test is the only test that can detect HIV disease What to do if there is a fear of contracting HIV infection
Many are interested in the question: "How many days after infection can a test be done." As soon as an infection is suspected, a test can be done, but the results may not be accurate. Thanks to PCR analysis, after 14 days it is possible to detect the causative agent of infection in the blood. HIV testing is carried out anonymously; it can be done in a regular polyclinic. Also, in each city there are specialized medical centers that deal specifically with the human immunodeficiency virus. You should not guess how long it takes to do the test, you need to consult a doctor at the first suspicion.
Blood test
The most common diagnostic method is a blood test for HIV. It is important to take it on an empty stomach. Decreased platelet and hemoglobin count, rapid erythrocyte sedimentation, may indicate the presence of infection. A blood test can detect HIV infection 1–3 months after infection. If this analysis is not enough to make a correct diagnosis, an additional diagnosis is prescribed to a friend.
Linked immunosorbent assay
An enzyme immunoassay is a study of cells of the immune system. The patient's blood is taken from a vein (always on an empty stomach). According to the result of the analysis, the number of lymphocytes is revealed. Within 10 days, antibodies to the virus are determined (if they were detected), the development of AIDS directly depends on their number. The method is quite effective, but with its help it is not always possible to completely exclude HIV, since in the presence of chronic infections or malignant neoplasms, the analysis results may be distorted.
When to get tested
There are professions that, upon admission, require full medical care, including tests for HIV infection. For example, it is imperative to get tested by medical personnel who come into contact with blood. Also, experts recommend passing the analysis as a prophylaxis in the following situations:
- pregnant girls (in the 1st and 3rd trimester);
- before having sex with a new unprotected partner;
- people who use drugs (intravenously) and have a promiscuous sex life;
- after a dangerous situation, such as regular close contact with an infected person.
During the first month after infection, antibodies are produced, you can take the test a week after infection, but there is a high probability that the indicators will be false.
HIV diagnostics
With pronounced symptoms of low immunity (after 2-4 months), it is recommended to undergo an examination. To diagnose HIV, they resort to the standard laboratory diagnostic procedure - the detection of antibodies to HIV. The most common screening tests (enzyme immunoassay). They are based on an antigen-antibody reaction. The popular method is due to the high degree of its implementation.
Treatment
The basis of therapy is the control of the multiplication of the virus and the treatment of concomitant diseases. With the implementation of quality treatment and adherence to preventive measures, it is possible to slow down the progression of the infection.
HIV treatment should begin immediately after a positive test result. There are specialized treatment centers for a group of people infected with HIV. In such clinics, special antiviral drugs and other drugs are prescribed for infected people. Treatment is also aimed at eliminating the consequences of the disease, which are caused by lowered immunity.
The incubation (latent) period of HIV infection is characterized by a time period in which the virus enters the internal systems of the body, but does not yet manifest itself as a symptomatology. During incubation, the causative agent of HIV infection passes the stage of adaptation in the patient's body, begins to actively multiply and spread throughout the body.
The duration of the incubation period for HIV infection
The latent period of HIV infection is different for all people. Its duration depends on many factors, but the most important is the state of the immune system. The stronger the immunity, the longer the incubation time will last. You can learn about ways to strengthen the immune system in.The time interval is very extensive - from 14 days to several years (maximum 10). But on average, it is about 3 months.
This is the initial pathological stage of infection, in which the immune function is already beginning to be suppressed, which contributes to the progression of the disease and the development of complications.
What can provoke the transition of the disease to the active stage?
To provoke the end of the incubation period and the transition of the disease to the stage of activity, the following conditions are necessary:- the presence of some diseases of a chronic nature, in which antibodies are produced;
- increased activity of T-lymphocytes;
- free T-helpers that maintain a high level of immunity.
Main characteristics of the incubation period of HIV infection
After infection, the pathogen enters the nucleus of the cells, which leads to pathological abnormalities in genetics. The virus actively invades lymphocyte cells (T-helper cells), which are cells of the immune system. Further, nuclear-free cell types are formed that mimic the immunodeficiency virus. Thus, nuclear cells disappear and the body loses its protective barriers. This provokes the development of various pathological abnormalities, most often oncological.The incubation period of HIV infection is asymptomatic, therefore, the pathology does not manifest itself clinically.
Is the person contagious at this time?
The latent period of HIV incubation is characterized by the presence of the pathogen in the human body. It is known that at this time the virus begins to multiply and move through the internal systems, so infection can occur.
It is possible to become infected during the incubation period in the following ways:
- unprotected sexual contact with or, especially if the pathogen has penetrated in the same way;
- blood (through a syringe needle and medical instruments);
- through the milk of a nursing mother to a child;
- from mother to fetus in time.
Do the tests show HIV infection during the incubation period?
A few years ago it was problematic to identify the causative agent of the human immune deficiency virus infection in the latent period. But today new technologies make it possible to do this. In medicine, the following methods are used for diagnosing HIV during the incubation period:- ELISA testing with 95% confidence. Biological material is collected from the alleged patient and sent to the laboratory. There they create certain reagents that can capture antibodies in HIV infection. In this case, the color of the solution changes.
- The second, no less effective method (up to 99%) is immune blotting. In this case, venous blood is used, which, after being taken, goes through the stage of separation into components. Then a gel is obtained, which is applied to certain strips. In the presence of the causative agent of HIV infection, lines appear.
- PCR gives an accuracy of 90%. The polymerase chain reaction can be used even for newborns. Viruses are found 11 days after infection.
When the body is infected with any infection, the incubation period begins - the period from infection to the first signs of the disease.
In HIV infection, the incubation period ranges from 4 weeks to one year, most often 3 months.
In HIV infection, most often the only sign of the body's reaction to the introduction of the pathogen is the appearance of antibodies to HIV. During the incubation period, the diagnosis of HIV infection cannot be detected, however, there are certain tests that detect antigens, i.e. HIV itself. The maturation period of HIV infection stops when the acute stage appears.
Since the envelope of the human immunodeficiency virus is almost insoluble in human biological fluids, during infection, HIV does not appear for a long time. The maturation period of HIV is equal in duration to the temporary ability of the immune system to resist foreign agents. The latent period of HIV depends on human immunity cells: the more immune cells, the shorter the incubation period. It is very simple to explain this: immunity cells are "factories" for the reproduction of the virus, therefore, the more there are, the faster HIV multiplies.
It takes time for the virus to activate. HIV has to get into T-lymphocytes, to be more precise, into T-helpers. Once the virus enters the cell, it changes the cell's genetic material. Thus, from T-lymphocytes, identical in composition, nuclear-free forms appear, which mimic HIV. In order for the virus to be activated, it needs to have active long-term infections in the body, a sufficient number of active T-lymphocytes and T-helpers that do not take part in the immune processes.
During the incubation period, a seronegative period of HIV occurs, the so-called window period. During this period, the virus is already present in the blood of the infected, but so far it does not harm the body. It has not yet penetrated in sufficient quantity into T-lymphocytes, so the body does not react to it in any way.
Despite the fact that the incubation period is most often 3 months, there are exceptions. Shortest incubation period in babies and drug addicts. Their seronegative period lasts up to a maximum of 14 days. In infants, this is due to the fact that their T-lymphocytes are at a developmental stage, and in drug addicts - due to the fact that the processes in their weakened body are as fast as possible.
The moment the number of immune cells decreases, symptoms of HIV infection begin to appear. HIV infection begins its acute stage - the period of acute infection of the organs of the immune system.
During the incubation period, the immunodeficiency virus multiplies in the human body. Once in cells, it actively reproduces. At this time, the body cannot yet detect HIV, so the immune system does not start producing antibodies. Most of the tests that are used to detect HIV cannot detect the virus in the body during the incubation period. However, if there is confidence that there was a risk of infection, then it is necessary to inform the doctor about this, he will prescribe a test that can determine the presence of HIV antigens in the body.