Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
HIV is a virus that destroys a type of blood cell. These cells are known as the CD4+ or helper T cells, which help the immune system fight infections and other diseases. HIV causes the immune system to continue to weaken over time and the person will eventually develop AIDS. The time taken between the initial infection with HIV and the development of AIDS is variable, from a few months to a number of years.
HIV occurs via exposure to HIV contaminated blood or body fluids. HIV is not transmitted through casual contact or through air or water.
Symptoms and characteristics
AIDS is characterised by a range of diseases or infections that are normally harmless to a person with a healthy immune system. Disease or infections take advantage of a person’s compromised immune system and eventually cause death.
The symptoms of HIV infection vary in each person. Some people experience few symptoms of the virus for many years while other people may experience the immediate onset of infections or illness. Some common symptoms after the initial HIV infection, which is normally two to four weeks after infection, include:
- flu like symptoms
- sore throat
- fever, chills and night sweats
- skin rash
- enlarged lymph glands
- general weakness and fatigue
- unexplained weight loss.
People typically experience a latent phase of symptoms after initial infection and may only experience occasional infections such as shingles or oral thrush. People with a subsequent AIDS diagnosis may have the following symptoms:
- white spots or lesions in the mouth
- loss of vision or spots in the eyes
- enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, underarms or groin regions
- skin marks or bumps
- wheezing breath or dry cough
- abdominal pain or diarrhoea.
Workplace adjustments and solutions
In the workplace there are various factors that would assist people with HIV/AIDS to better manage their condition. These include changes to work tasks and the environment, and will vary depending upon the stage of the disease. Some suggestions for workplace modifications include:
- flexible work hours or the capacity to work from home to accommodate fluctuating symptoms, fatigue and treatment requirements
- modification of work tasks to enable people to work from a seated position or rotation between postures as a means of energy conservation
- provision of a private space within the workplace in which to undertake any treatment or medication requirements
- use of personal protective equipment to minimise risk of injury
- education within the workplace regarding the nature of the condition, if it has been disclosed.
The Employment Assistance Fund provides financial assistance for work related modifications, equipment and services to help people with disability to get employment and perform their work as independently and productively as possible. To determine eligibility, please refer to the full guidelines:
There are adjustments and solutions for the following job requirements:
References
Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations 2011, FAQS on HIV, Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO), Sydney, viewed 17 March 2012, http://www.afao.org.au/about-hiv/faqs-on-hiv.
Better Health Channel 2010, HIV and AIDS, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 17 March 2012, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/HIV_and_AIDS?open.
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 2010, 2010 Global Report, UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, viewed 17 March 2012, http://www.unaids.org/globalreport/documents/20101123_GlobalReport_full_en.pdf.
MDGuidelines 1991-2010, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Reed Group Ltd., Colorado, viewed 17 March 2012, http://www.mdguidelines.com/acquired-immune-deficiency-syndrome.