The document discusses the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which can be transmitted via body fluids like blood. It is a retrovirus that spreads mainly through unprotected sex, contaminated blood transfusions, and sharing needles. After exposure, HIV binds to CD4 receptors and destroys CD4+ T cells, compromising the immune system and increasing risk of opportunistic infections like pneumonia. In early infection, patients may experience flu-like symptoms and during seroconversion present the greatest risk of transmission. Highly active antiretroviral therapy administered at this stage can be most effective by inhibiting reverse transcriptase and protease production to prevent HIV from progressing. Within 10 years, untreated HIV may develop into AIDS in 25-

1. Dr. Ashok Jaisingani

2.  The type I immunodeficiency virus is one
of the virus of surgical importance as it
can be transmitted by body fluid,
particularly blood.
 It is retrovirus and its prevalence inc. via
1- Sexual Transmission
2- Homo & Heterosexual individuals
3- IV – drugs addictions
4- Through infected blood in treating
haemophlias.
 The risk in surgery mostly through the
needle stick injury during the operation.

3.  After the exposure the virus is bind to CD4
receptors with a subsequent loss of CD4+ cells, T
helper cells and other cells involved in cell –
mediated immunity, antibody production and
delayed hypersensitivity.
 Macrophages and gut associated lymphoid tissues
are also affected.
 The risk of the opportunistic infections increase
are
1- Pneumocystitis Carinii pneumonia
2- Tuberculosis
3- Cytomegalovirus
4- Neoplasm (Kaposi’s sarcoma & lymphoma)

4.  In the early weeks after the HIV infection
there may be a flu – like illness
 During the phase of seroconversion
patients present the greatest risk of HIV
transmission
 It is during these early phases that drug
treatment, “highly active anti-retroviral
therapy” (HAART) is most effective
through the ability of these drugs to
inhibit the reverse transcriptase and
protease synthesis.
 Transcriptase and protease synthesis are
principle mechanisms through which HIV
can progress

5.  Within10 – years untreated HIV can progress
to AIDS in 25 – 35% of the patients, which is
considered to be fatal.