Sepsis and HIV/AIDS
HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that causes AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Statistics show that around one million people in the United States are infected with HIV. Forty million are infected across the world. Twenty five million have died of HIV/AIDS. People who have AIDS have HIV, but people who have HIV do not necessarily have AIDS.
At the XVI International AIDS Conference in 2006, researchers said, “The final common pathway of untreated AIDS is progressive immunosupression over many years followed by an acute critical illness, usually sepsis, and death, often within 48 hours.” In other words, sepsis is the most common cause of death from AIDS, and a very quick one at that.
Sometimes called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body's often deadly response to infection or injury. Sepsis kills and disables millions and requires early suspicion and rapid treatment for survival.
Sepsis and septic shock can result from an infection anywhere in the body, such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Worldwide, one-third of people who develop sepsis die. Almost 20% of patients who develop sepsis after surgery die. Many who do survive are left with organ dysfunction and/or amputations. (What is the prognosis (outcome) with sepsis?)
Famous People Who Developed Sepsis with AIDS
Jazz Pianist and Composer Fred Hersch. You can read Fred's story, at the Faces of Sepsis.
What Are HIV and AIDS?
HIV is one of many retroviruses. This particular one infects your cells, using their energy and nutrients to grow and spread. HIV attacks your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to infections and diseases. Some of these infections and diseases may only cause mild symptoms and discomfort to non-infected people, but they could be deadly for those who have HIV.
You may hear the term CD4 when people talk about HIV. CD4 cells are a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes. Their role is to help fight infection. As HIV progresses, the CD4 levels in your blood drop. According to the Centers of Disease Control, anyone with a CD4 count of less that 200 is considered to have AIDS, although many doctors will start treatment at a count of 350. People who do not have HIV generally have CD4 levels of between 600 and 1,200.
How Do You Get HIV and AIDS?
HIV is a virus that can be passed along through body fluids. This means you can pass on HIV or contract it through:
- Sexual activity
- Sharing an injection needle
- Childbirth
- Poking yourself accidently with a contaminated needle (usually in a healthcare facility)
AIDS is contracted once the HIV has overwhelmed the body and you now are much more susceptible to infection.