Pathophysiology of HIV and AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a blood-borne infection. It is transmitted through various ways. The modes of transmission include unprotected sexual intercourse, transfusion with infected blood, and sharing of syringes among substance users. It can also be transmitted from mother to her child either during birth or when breastfeeding (Cohen, Gay, Busch, & Hecht, 2010).
According to Cohen et al. (2010), a person with the virus may present symptoms and signs associated with the various stages of the condition. However, there are no apparent signs that are associated with the condition (Cohen et al., 2010). On the contrary, the physical symptoms are brought about by an infection. The illness manifestation is the condition described as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome [AIDS] (Cohen et al., 2010).
There are various similarities between HIV and AIDS. For example, the two conditions are related given that the former may lead to the latter (Doitsh & Greene, 2016). With regards to differences, HIV may remain latent in the body of the patient for a long time. In addition, it may lack any decipherable physical symptoms (Doitsh & Greene, 2016). However, the two conditions compromise the immune system of the patient. The AIDS condition is manifested as recurrent and sometimes life-threatening opportunistic infections. According to Cohen et al. (2010), an individual suffering from HIV may not develop AIDS. However, if an individual has AIDS, then it means that they have the HIV virus. The reason is that AIDS can only occur in the presence of HIV. According to Simon, Ho, and Karim (2006), AIDS is the manifestation of the last stages of HIV.
Clinical Manifestations of HIV and AIDS
The clinical manifestations of the two conditions are closely related. The symptoms of HIV infection vary depending on various factors. The variations may be brought about by the immune system of the individual and the stage of the infection (Cohen et al., 2010). The infection progresses through three major phases. They include the early stage, the clinical latency phase, and the last stage (Cohen et al., 2010). The last stage is where AIDS is fully developed (Simon et al., 2006). In the last phase, individuals infected with the HIV virus may show a number of symptoms. The signs include fever, fatigue, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands. The duration of the signs may vary between individuals and cases recorded (Doitsh & Greene, 2016).
During the clinical latency stage, the HIV is active. However, it replicates at a significantly slow rate. In addition, the individual may not have manifestations related to the HIV infection (Simon et al., 2006). Although the virus may be reproducing at a slow rate, it steadily affects the immunity of the infected person (Valcour, Sithinamsuwan, Letendre, & Ances, 2011). As a result of the impaired immune system, the condition progresses to the last stage. At this stage, the virus will have weakened the body’s immune system (Valcour et al., 2011). Consequently, the patient acquires AIDS (Cohen et al., 2010).
According to Doitsh and Greene (2016), AIDS has a number of clinical manifestations. Some of them may be similar to those associated with HIV, while others are different. They include, among others, rapid weight loss, diarrhea, and recurring fever. In addition, the patient may have pneumonia and sores in the mouth and genitals.
Clinical Manifestations of Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
The differences between the ways, in which Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas manifests themselves are rather basic. According to the existing definition, the Hodgkin’s disease does not trigger any signs of fatigue, whereas a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma does in most cases. Similarly, a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma often makes the patient feel full even after eating a comparatively small amount of food or even not eating anything. The Hodgkin’s disease, in its turn, does not typically have the identified effects on the patient. Last but definitely not least, the Hodgkin’s disease does not cause the reduction in the percentage of red blood cells, whereas the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma does (Sheppard et al., 2015).
However, the similarities between the phenomena are also quite numerous. First, one must mention the fact that in both cases the patient experiences a swelling in their lymph nodes. Furthermore, both disorders are likely to cause the patient to feel very itchy. The change in the patient’s weight can also be viewed as a common sign of the diseases in question. Chest pain is also often attributed to both diseases, as well as swelling, especially in the abdomen area. Finally, the fact that both Hodgkin’s and the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cause the patient to sweat excessively, especially during the night time, needs to be brought up as a frequent cause of confusion between the two diagnoses. In other words, the so-called B-symptoms of a lymphoma are typically viewed as the points of contact for the Hodgkin’s and the non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. In order to identify the disease and determine the further course of actions, one must examine the patient closer; specifically, a biopsy is suggested as the most efficient tool (Sheppard et al., 2015).
References
Cohen, M., Gay, C., Busch, M., & Hecht, F. (2010). The detection of acute HIV infection. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 202(2), 270-277.
Doitsh, G., & Greene, W. (2016). Dissecting how CD4 T cells are lost during HIV infection. Cell Host & Microbe, 19(3), 280-291.
Sheppard, E. A., Neal, R. D., Rose, P. W., Walter, F. M., & Hamilton, W. T. (2015). Quantifying the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in symptomatic primary care patients aged ≥40 years: a large case–control study using electronic records. British Journal of General Practice, 58(548), 192-196. Web.
Simon, V., Ho, D., & Karim, Q. (2006). HIV/AIDS epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment. Lancet, 368(9534), 489-504.
Valcour, V., Sithinamsuwan, P., Letendre, S., & Ances, B. (2011). Pathogenesis of HIV in the central nervous system. Current HIV/AIDS Report, 8(1), 54-61.