AIDS-related Complex (ARC)

AIDS-related Complex is a more advanced level of HIV infection. Symptoms generally include the symptoms of lymphadenopathy, plus abnormal body conditions revealed by laboratory tests, and/or the presence of one or more opportunistic infections.

A person with ARC has a discomforting illness. His or her everyday activity may be restricted and he or she is probably manifesting bouts of illness that require short-term or long-term medical treatment in and out of the hospital.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

AIDS is the "full-blown" syndrome, also called "frank" AIDS. Patients suffering from AIDS often have any number of the opportunistic diseases listed in Figure 6. These diseases develop because of the widespread failure of the immune system. Drug treatments are available for many of these infections; but, without the support of the immune system, the drugs fail to cure the disease fully or are unable to keep the disease from returning. These opportunistic infections, curable under other circumstances, cause the death of most AIDS patients.

Symptoms and Conditions of ARC and AIDS

• Anergy: lack of skin allergic response
• Anemia: lack of red blood cells
• Autoimmune Disorders: immune system attacks own body
• Candidiasis/Oral Thrush: See Figure 6
• Hyperplasia: excessive growth of normal cells in organ
• Kidney Dysfunction: kidneys fail or function poorly
• Leukopenia: decreased number of leukocytes (white blood cells that engulf germs)
• Lymphomas: lymphatic system cancers
• Lymphopenia: decreased number of lymphocytes
• Nerve Damage: possible blindness, deafness, paralysis
• Oral Thrush: caused by Epstein-Barr Virus (Figure 6)
• Wasting: severe weight loss, perhaps death, from diarrhea and malnutrition

Diseases Common to AIDS

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).

Caused by fungus-like single-celled parasite, Pneumocystis carinii, common world-wide. Infects lungs. Previous to AIDS, found in kidney transplant patients whose immune system had been chemically suppressed. Occurs in 60% to 80% of AIDS patients. Initially responsible for 30% to 50% of deaths among AIDS patients, now brought under better control due to chemical prophylaxis, that is, chemically treating the patient before symptoms occur.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)

Malignant skin cancer. Appear first as pink, purple or brown lesions (wounds), usually on arms and/or legs; then spreading around body. In AIDS patients, may spread to gastrointestinal tract, lungs, other internal organs. Initially occurred in 46% of homosexual AIDS patients, in only 3.8% of heterosexual IV drug abuser AIDS patients. Onset is statistically associated, in homosexual males, with oral-anal sex and fecal (feces) contact-possible infectious agent involved.

Toxoplasmosis.

Caused by Toxoplasmosa gondii. Infects blood and many tissues. Common to humans, many domestic and wild animals. Humans may catch from droppings of cats and undercooked meat, especially mutton. In AIDS patients, tendency to infect tissues of central nervous system (brain and nerves). Also causes pneumonia and hepatitis inflammation/dysfunction of the liver). Many minor, non-life-threatening outbreaks occur in day-care centers. In AIDS patients, can be a major cause of mortality.

Candidiasis.

Caused by species of Candida, a fungus common to skin, mouth, vagina, gastrointestinal tract of humans. In AIDS patients, usually takes oral form: white spots or patches on lateral sides of tongue, perhaps inside mouth on mucous membranes of cheeks; commonly lodges under nailbeds and skin around armpits, groin, and rectum. Sometimes affects lungs. Frequently, first clinical (as seen in doctor's office) sign of HIV infection .