AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
In this section of Seattle Organic Restaurants I’m going to talk about AIDS. AIDS is the HIV positive virus that attacks the white blood cells and causes immune system disorder. This means the body cannot defend itself against foreign invaders and as a result the person eventually dies because of overwhelming cancer or infections. AIDS by itself doesn’t cause death but weakens the immune system that makes the body vulnerable to various diseases, infections or viruses.
The documentation on AIDS goes back to 1980s; many researchers have been trying to find out the origin of AIDS, some believe that AIDS is a genetically modified engineering virus that has gone awry. However HIV positive virus goes viral through blood to blood or sexual contact. In many parts of the world as well as the United States the blood banks screen the donated blood for presence of HIV antibodies. Aids could have a hidden period and HIV antibodies might not appear in three to six month after one is infected. In certain circumstances medical professionals and dentists who are in close contact with patients might get infected by HIV positive virus. It is necessary for medical professionals, clinical employees and emergency personals to wear rubber gloves when they are in contact with patients. During pregnancy if the mother has HIV virus there is a 25% chance that her baby becomes infected by AIDS. One out of four kids born from mother with HIV becomes infected and scientists are still working to find out the steps to prevent children born from mothers with HIV positive getting infected. However scientists know some factors like bottle-feeding and drug therapy during pregnancy are effective ways to reduce the chances of children getting infected. It takes two to five years for appearance of any symptoms of AIDS; so many people who are affected do not even know they have it.
After a person is infected the virus quickly starts reproducing billions of copies a day. Depending on the strength of the body, year after year the body becomes weaker and little by little the immune system breaks down. Usually the risk factors that accelerate AIDS and turn it to disease are overuse of drugs like antibiotic or steroids, over use of alcohol, cocaine, high risk unprotected sex and unhealthy diets that include processed foods high in sugar and fat. One of the most common symptoms of HIV virus is candidiasis (thrush) that is a fungal infection. Other symptoms are sore throat, cough, cold and fever for more than 10 days, excessive sweating, asthma, unexplained fatigue, mouth lesions, headaches, sudden weight loss, infection, join pain, memory loss, anxiety, stress, chest pains, blindness and diarrhea.