NOTE:
HTLV-III infection means that a person has been exposed to and infected with
the virus. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome means that the infection
has progressed to the point that the body's immune system has been
attacked and the person shows signs and symptoms of illness.
b. Background.
(1)
HTLV-III--traced back to African Green Monkey--transmitted by scratch
or bite.
(2)
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome --found and named
coincidentally--first seen as pneumonia of a rare type--in primarily, but
not limited to homosexual men.
c. Transmission of HTLV-III Virus.
(1)
Sexual contact--heterosexual and/or homosexual.
(2)
Sharing of needles--interveinous (IV) drug users.
(3)
Contaminated blood--less of a problem now that blood is being tested for
HTLV-III.
(4)
Maternal-child transmission--in uterus.
d. Signs and Symptoms of HTLV-III Virus. Signs and symptoms of HTLV-III
virus may range from no symptoms at all to symptoms of AIDS.
NOTE:
There has been no cure found for the HTLV-III infection.
e. Signs and Symptoms of AIDS.
(1) Fever of unknown origin--fever may be low grade and persistent or it
may be episodic and spiking.
(2)
Weight loss--can amount from 20 to 30 percent of body weight.
(3)
Malaise.
(4)
Diarrhea.
(5) Opportunistic infections--that is, Candida, Pneumocystis pneumonia,
toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus.
(6)
Kaposils sarcoma.
MD0550
5-7