How long does the AIDS virus live? How long does the HIV virus live in the external environment? At what temperature does HIV die? All about HIV
The immunodeficiency virus (retrovirus) poses a threat to the lives of people infected with it. To prevent the possibility of infection, it is important to know the characteristics of the virus:
- Lifespan of HIV outside the human body;
- Under what conditions is there a possibility of transmission of the immunodeficiency virus;
- What determines the resistance of infection to environmental factors;
- How to reduce the lifespan of a retrovirus.
Long-term studies conducted by many scientists have revealed a direct dependence of the viability of the virus on weather, temperature and various physical parameters. HIV can exist outside the body, but its viability period is very short, since HIV is very dependent on the influence of the external environment on it.
It’s not for nothing that immunodeficiency infection is called “sissy” among other viral strains. The causative agent of AIDS is very sensitive to the influence of many factors, such as:
- action of air;
- change in temperature conditions;
- influence of humidity environment;
- exposure to chemicals and disinfectants, etc.
The time for HIV deactivation is different for each factor. Now a little about the conditions under which the virus loses its properties and ceases to exist.
HIV will only live for a couple of minutes in the air, after which it ceases to exist. This is due to the fact that the oxygen molecule has a detrimental effect on it. The protective shell of a retrovirus cannot withstand the destructive effects of air, so HIV, in the absence of a favorable habitat, will exist for a very short amount of time.
HIV lives in dried biological fluid from one to three days, but this is the result of laboratory experiments that use a more concentrated virus than in nature. At complete absence moisture, infection particles lose viability in about 12 hours. It has also been experimentally proven that if a liquid containing HIV dries, the infection can exist for only a few minutes after drying. Considering that in natural conditions the amount of the virus is small, the transmission of HIV either by airborne droplets or through household contact is practically impossible.
IMPORTANT! Sometimes people believe that HIV can be contracted by swimming in water with an infected person. It's a delusion. In fact, no such case has been recorded. For infection, it is necessary for the body to enter a biological fluid with a large concentration of virions, which is practically impossible. The water in swimming pools is purified with chemicals that the retrovirus cannot resist. Even when HIV particles are mixed with water from open reservoirs, the concentration of pathogenic virions will be much less than necessary for infection.
When exposed to low temperatures, the pathogen builds up a protective shell and slows down all life processes. In this form, resistant to cold, it is stored for a long time even at minus 70°.
When boiling things or instruments that contain infected particles, the HIV virus dies instantly. The pathogen can only exist until a temperature threshold of 56 degrees is reached. If the temperature rises higher, the death of virions (virus particles) occurs in 60 seconds.
During chemical and disinfection treatment of surfaces on which HIV particles are present, it dies immediately, since the outer shell of the pathogen does not protect it from exposure to chemicals. All employees should know about this medical institutions, to carry out appropriate disinfection and sterilization of reusable instruments.
Another way of transmitting the disease is through unsterilized intravenous needles. Experimentally, the dependence of the viability of the pathogen on the amount of blood in the needle, on the concentration of the virus in the blood and on the ambient temperature was revealed.
It was found that the larger the diameter and length of the needle, the greater the amount of blood it can contain, and the longer the HIV virus can live in it.
A retrovirus is capable of developing and maintaining its vital activity only in a carrier organism, or outside this organism, but in a sufficiently large amount of biological fluid (sperm, blood, saliva, breast milk). After the biofluid dries, the infection dies within a few minutes.
It is believed, however, that under certain weather conditions (in a damp, cool environment) the pathogen can survive for up to two days. During laboratory storage, these indicators could reach up to a month.
HIV virus: resistance in the external environment, questions and answers
Finally, here is a brief overview of the article with the help of questions and answers.
How long can HIV live outdoors?
Once exposed to air, HIV dies instantly, since oxygen is harmful to it, so transmission of the infection by airborne droplets is impossible.
What is the life expectancy?
The period of active life of AIDS in a needle with infected blood lasts about 48 hours, in some cases up to several months.
How long ?
After entering water, the pathogen dies very quickly because oxygen atoms destroy its structure. Therefore, you should not be afraid of the risk of HIV transmission when consuming drinking water or while swimming in public bodies of water.
What is the duration?
Particles of infection can exist in semen for 48 hours, during which the pathogen produces up to a billion daughter virions. This process occurs constantly; sperm is an excellent environment for reproduction and transmission of infection.
At what temperature does HIV die?
At a temperature of +56°, the carrier particles die within a few minutes. At the boiling temperature of water +100°, the death of virions occurs instantly. At temperatures below +20°, HIV can exist for a long time.
bibliographic description:
On the issue of forensic medical examination of the corpses of HIV-infected people / Rybalkin R.V., Panina T. // Selected issues of forensic medical examination. - Khabarovsk, 2005. - No. 7. - pp. 83-87.
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On the issue of forensic medical examination of the corpses of HIV-infected people / Rybalkin R.V., Panina T. // Selected issues of forensic medical examination. - Khabarovsk, 2005. - No. 7. - pp. 83-87.
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/ Rybalkin R.V., Panina T. // Selected issues of forensic medical examination. - Khabarovsk, 2005. - No. 7. - pp. 83-87.
How long does the human immunodeficiency virus live outside the body? In the open air, the virus dies within a few minutes. It can live much longer inside the syringe. Various, often contradictory, data are provided about the viability of HIV. Where is the truth?
There are many misconceptions and misinterpretations of scientific evidence regarding HIV's life outside the human body. Laboratory studies use virus concentrations that are at least 100,000 times higher than those found in nature. When such artificially high concentrations are used, HIV can remain alive for 1–3 days after the liquid has dried.
Does this mean that HIV in natural concentrations can live on the stump of a human body for up to three days? Of course not. Laboratory concentrations are at least 100,000 times higher than natural concentrations. If WE extrapolate the research data to the natural concentration of the virus, we see that HIV can live outside the body for only a few minutes. If HIV lived outside the body for many hours or days (in its natural concentrations), we would undoubtedly observe cases of household infection - but they do not happen.
Of particular interest is the lifespan of HIV inside a syringe or hollow needle. It turned out that it is influenced by a number of factors, including the amount of blood in the needle, the titer (amount) of the virus in the blood, and the ambient temperature. The amount of blood in the needle depends in part on the size of the needle and whether the blood is drawn into the needle.
In one study of syringes containing blood infected with very high titres of HIV-1, some needles were found to contain viable virus after 48 days of storage at constant temperature. At the same time, the viability of the virus decreases over time: after 2–10 days of storage, live virus was isolated in only 26% of syringes. The preservation of the live virus was also facilitated by the large volume of blood in the syringe and low storage temperatures. Virus viability is lower at lower titers, at high or fluctuating temperatures, and at low blood volumes. To prevent injection transmission of HIV, it should be assumed that a used syringe or hollow needle (unsterilized) may contain live virus for several days.
The causative agents are human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) of the Retrovirus genus of the Lentivirinae subfamily of the Retroviridae family. HIV is killed at a temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes, but is resistant to low temperatures; quickly die under the influence of ethanol, ether, acetone and ordinary disinfectants. In blood and other biological media under normal conditions they remain viable for several days.
Virus persistence in the environment. The optimal pH for the manifestation of the biological activity of the virus is 7.0–8.0; with a decrease or increase in the pH of the environment, HIV activity decreases. In its native state, the virus retains virulence in the blood on environmental objects for up to 14 days, and in dried substrates for up to 7 days. HIV is highly sensitive to heat. When exposed to a temperature of +56°C for 10 minutes, the infectivity of HIV is reduced, and within 30 minutes its complete inactivation is achieved. At a temperature of 100°C, the virus dies within 1 minute. The virus is relatively resistant to ultraviolet and gamma radiation at doses typically used for sterilization. Chlorine-containing disinfectants, ethyl and isopropyl alcohols, hydrogen peroxide, glutaraldehyde, used in medical institutions, are acceptable for inactivating the virus.
To summarize, we can conclude that HIV lives in a corpse for a long time - up to 14 days.
In connection with the above, I believe that performing an autopsy on the corpse of an HIV-infected person can and should be considered as an increased danger to the health and life of the worker, especially since the timing of the study is often determined not by forensic experts but by the relatives of the deceased.
“...2.1.17. Expert examination of the corpses of HIV-infected persons is carried out in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation.
2.1.18. In order to ensure the protection of a forensic medical expert from HIV infection during an expert examination of a corpse, it is necessary to have the following protective equipment:
- - gown, cap, disposable gauze mask,
- - glasses and a face shield, two pairs of rubber anatomical gloves.
2.1.19. Disinfection of HIV-infected material and instruments is carried out in the same way as for hepatitis, guided by the requirements of the relevant sanitary rules.
2.1.20. If parts of the body of an expert (medic) not protected by a gown and gloves are contaminated with blood from a corpse or other material taken, quickly clean the contaminated surface with a disinfectant solution (for example, chloramine); If the infected material gets on the mucous membranes, they are immediately treated with a 0.05% solution of potassium permanganate.
2.1.21. Before removing the apron, moisten a gauze napkin with a disinfectant solution and wipe it thoroughly, after which the apron is removed and folded with the outer side inward. Use separate napkins, generously moistened with a disinfectant solution, to wipe oversleeves and rubber gloves. The gowns, cap, and gauze mask used during the examination of the corpse are placed in a waterproof bag or plastic bag of a certain color with a warning label, intended exclusively for the collection and disposal of infected waste.
2.1.22. The sectional instruments used in examining the corpse are placed in a special hermetically sealed container with markings. For reuse, these instruments are cleaned, dried and disinfected in containers with a disinfectant solution.
2.1.23. Objects contaminated with blood are placed, for subsequent disinfection and destruction, in specially colored plastic bags in accordance with the rules for the disposal of infected material.
2.1.24. A warning notice is placed on jars or other containers containing sectioned material sent for laboratory research. During transportation, all cans of material must be hermetically sealed with a rubber stopper and rubber film and placed in a second waterproof and undamaged container, also sealed hermetically. All materials are sent only by express. Fixed sectional material is stored in a specially designated and, preferably, sealed closed area. Storage and further work with this material should be carried out in strict accordance with the established procedure.
2.1.25. After finishing working with HIV-infected material and removing protective clothing, all medical personnel are required to thoroughly wash their hands and treat them with an antiseptic.
2.1.26. To bury a corpse, oilcloth is placed at the bottom of the coffin.
2.1.27. All potentially contaminated materials used in laboratory research, when the need has passed, are subjected to disinfection in appropriate modes...”
In the order, as we see, there is a cap, gown, gloves... What normal expert would not wear a gown, gloves, mask, etc. to ANY autopsy? It seems that those who wrote this order have no idea what it is like to dissect a known HIV-infected corpse. Compliance with other points of the order, taking into account the working conditions of forensic medical experts-thanatologists, also seems very unlikely.
Order 161, of course, describes HOW to open an HIV-infected corpse. That is why it is methodological and not normative in nature. But it does not determine WHO, WHERE, WHEN and WHY will open such corpses. The order only allows for the possibility of this autopsy being carried out by an expert and explains how the latter should behave in such a case. Next, it seems to me, we need to turn to the Labor Code and the Constitution (as full-fledged laws and having priority in this case). Therefore, in this case, additional conditions must be negotiated with the employer (additional payment commensurate with the risk, the possibility of refusing to work, etc.). But it seems to me that the most correct thing at this stage in the present conditions is to give the opportunity to decide the questions of WHEN and WHY directly to the experts who carry out the examination of corpses.
And if we get closer to the topic, we were put in conditions where “the rescue of drowning people is the business of the drowning people themselves.” The state doesn’t need us when we’re healthy, much less when we’re sick. So, dear colleagues, take care of yourselves!
Human immunodeficiency is one of the most dangerous diseases throughout the world in recent decades. The risk of infection is partly determined by how long HIV lives in the air and in other environments, provided that they are located outside the human body.
There are different, often contradictory opinions on the issue of vitality and persistence of the immunodeficiency virus. We invite you to find out what the truth is about the duration of HIV’s existence outside the human body.
How long does the HIV virus live in the external environment?? Research is being carried out by scientists using concentrations of the virus 100,000 times higher than those that can be found in nature. When they are used, HIV remains alive for 1-3 days from the moment the biological fluid (sperm, blood, vaginal secretions) dries.
The persistence of the virus in natural concentration is much less - it is not able to live up to 3 days outside human body. The period of its “life” is reduced to just a few minutes. If it were more stable in natural concentrations, then in practice situations of household infection would occur.
The inability of HIV to live outside the human body prevents infection by:
- clothes,
- towels,
- furniture,
- food products,
- personal hygiene products.
Survival factors
How long does HIV live outside the body? determined by the ambient temperature and the volume of the virus in the biological fluid (viral load). Studies carried out in laboratories have shown that the virus in the highest concentration (100,000 times higher than natural) remains viable for 3 days, subject to stable temperature conditions and optimal humidity. However, they cannot be reproduced in natural environment without special instruments and equipment!
Open environment
Studies have shown that HIV in artificial concentrations dies in the open air in a volume of 90-99% in a few hours. In theory, the process of transmission of the virus in its natural state outside the human body is not only slow, it reaches zero.
Not a single carrier of the immunodeficiency virus was infected due to contact with any surface, consumption of food or water. “Fragile” HIV instantly dies when exposed to hot (even warm!) water, soap and disinfectants, and alcohol (alcohol solution).
HIV dies within a few minutes if it gets into water along with biological fluid, even under conditions of a high viral load, which makes it impossible to become infected with the virus through water or air.
HIV survives
The immunodeficiency virus lives and multiplies exclusively in certain human biological fluids - blood, vaginal secretions, breast milk, sperm. Outside the body it is quickly deactivated, BUT in blood prepared for transfusion, it can live for several years, and in serum subjected to slow freezing, up to 10 years.
The viability of HIV contained inside a syringe or hollow needle is significantly higher. Its stability is determined by the following factors:
- the amount of blood in the needle,
- humidity,
- volume of the virus
- temperature conditions.
Attention! The volume of blood in the syringe depends on the parameters of the needle and the presence (absence) of its ability to draw biological fluid inside.
Conducted studies prove that HIV can be contained in some needles for up to 2 days at a constant temperature. The viability of the virus decreases over time - after 2-10 days it was isolated from only 26% of the needles used during the study.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that for preventive purposes to prevent injection infection, it is necessary to assume that a used syringe can contain HIV for 3-4 days (provided that it has not been sterilized!).
HIV dies
The low contagiousness of the virus is due to its inability to exist outside the human body or without nutrient media.
HIV dies under the following conditions:
| Wednesday | Parameter | Decontamination period |
| Temperature increase | + 56 o C | Instantly |
| Temperature reduction | – 1 o C | 24 hours (assuming slow freezing) |
| Sudden temperature change (defrosting) | From 0 to + 5 o C | Instantly |
| Drying | Absolutely no moisture | Instantly |
| Exposure to chemical detergents | Carrying out wet cleaning | During surface treatment |
Attention! At what temperature does AIDS die? HIV contained in human blood (subject to maximum viral load) dies at a temperature of + 60 o C and above.
The viability of the virus outside organic liquids is low, which is why among experts it is called a “sissy”.
The body's resistance to HIV
A whole “set” of genes in the body of living beings determines their resistance to various viral infections. Laboratory studies conducted on mice, rats, guinea pigs and other animals have shown that their bodies are resistant to HIV and infection is impossible.
Monitoring of incidence among the US population has shown that Americans of European descent are more resistant to the virus, while Africans and Asians are susceptible to infection (their body resistance indicators are almost zero).
In 1995, several American researchers discovered a substance produced in cells of the immune system that have CD 8 molecules. It has been proven to stop the reproduction and spread of HIV in the body. The protective substance is hormone-like molecules called “chemokines”.
They take the form of reduced proteins that latch onto receptor molecules located on immune system cells as they move toward the site of infection. Currently, research continues, experts are trying to find “ gates", through which the virus enters immune cells. This will make it possible to understand which receptors chemokines interact with.
The main “culprits” of infection of the body are the receptor molecules CD 4 and CCR 5. In 1996, researchers reported that a normal CCR 5 receptor gene was found in 1/5 of patients. It turned out that in 3% of people who have not become infected with HIV (provided they have contact with positive patients), this receptor is altered - mutagenic.
Further examination of 2 homosexuals showed that, despite sexual contact with infected partners, the mutagenic receptor CCR 5 is formed in their cells. It is not able to interact with the virus, so infection is impossible.
However, some patients' resistance to HIV is temporary. This is observed in people who have inherited a “life-saving” mutation from their parents. Some time after infection (3-4 years), the level of immune cells in these patients decreases by 5 times, which leads to the development of complications.
The highest rate of resistance to the virus, which arose in connection with the mutation of cells of the immune system, can be traced among representatives of the Finno-Ugric group, namely:
- Finns,
- Hungarians,
- Mordvin,
- Estonians
Attention! In them, the presence of mutagenicity in one of the 2 paired genes reaches 16-18%, while among Africans the figure is only 1-2%.
Consequently, insects, birds, animals and other creatures (with the exception of some species of monkeys) and people in whose body two mutagenic genes are present simultaneously remain invulnerable to HIV. Among Moscow residents, about 0.6% are resistant to HIV (as of 012).
HIV terrorism – is it worth worrying about?
In recent years, citizens' complaints related to “AIDS terrorism” have become more frequent, when an unknown person injects them with syringes containing contaminated blood in public transport, a nightclub, or simply on a city street and leaves a note with the phrase “ Now you're the same" or " Now you are one of us».
According to experts, infection in this way excluded. Outside the human body, the virus quickly loses its viability, so a simple injection or even a scratch will not be enough to cause infection.
Instead of output
The virus does not live in an open environment; if it comes into contact with air or water, it dies within a few minutes. However, it is more stable when contained in biological fluids if favorable conditions are created in the environment ( HIV can live in frozen sperm for up to several months).
Infected in the household environment - impossible. Currently, there are no recorded cases of infection through shoes, clothing, food or water. The only things to be wary of are unprotected sexual intercourse with unknown partners, blood transfusions, and transmission of the virus from mother to child during childbirth, as well as during subsequent breastfeeding.
Remember that HIV is not a death sentence. Thanks to antiretroviral therapy, thousands of people around the world live full lives with the infection!
HIV is highly sensitive to heat. When exposed to a temperature of +56 °C for 10 minutes, the infectivity of HIV is reduced, and within 30 minutes, its complete inactivation is achieved.
At a temperature of +100 °C, the virus dies within 1 minute. At the same time, the virus is resistant to ultraviolet and gamma radiation in doses usually used during sterilization. Chlorine-containing disinfectants in commonly used concentrations (1–3% chloramine solution, 3% bleach solution) inactivate the virus within 10–20 minutes, 0.5% Lysol inactivates it within 10 minutes, 3% - th phenol – 20 min. Acetone, ether, ethyl or isopropyl alcohol also quickly inactivate the virus.
According to the degree of epidemic danger, HIV is classified in the 2nd pathogenicity group (along with the causative agents of cholera, rabies, anthrax, etc.). HIV has relatively low resistance in the external environment. In its native state, in the blood on environmental objects it retains its infectivity for up to 14 days, in dried substrates for up to 7 days.
6.Who is the source of HIV infection? When does an infected person become a source of infection? Could a seronegative subject be the source? (for doctors of all specialties)
HIV infection belongs to the category of anthroponoses with contact (sexual), parenteral and vertical (transplacental) mechanisms of pathogen transmission.
The source of infection is an infected person at any stage of HIV infection, starting from the moment of infection.
The highest concentrations of the virus are found in blood, semen, female genital secretions, and cerebrospinal fluid. Further, in descending order of concentration, HIV is found in amniotic fluid, human milk, saliva, sweat, tears, excrement, and urine.
As with any infection, a certain dose of the pathogen is required for infection (about 10,000 viral particles; 0.1-1 ml of blood). The lower the concentration of the pathogen in the biological fluid, the lower the risk of infection.
7.Ways, mechanisms and factors of HIV transmission. Contingent of increased risk of infection. (for doctors of all specialties)
Currently, three routes of HIV infection have been identified.
The sexual route is of greatest epidemiological significance, especially during homosexual contacts between men. In the last period, the proportion of infections during heterosexual contacts has sharply increased. The risk of sexual transmission increases sharply with frequent changes of partners.
Transmission of the virus is possible through donated blood in the absence of blood testing for HIV antibodies. There is an intensive spread of HIV among drug addicts who inject drugs intravenously successively with one syringe. In a number of cities in southern Russia and Romania, there were massive infections of children in hospitals due to the use of insufficiently processed or reused medical instruments (reusable syringes, catheters). Cases of infection through acupuncture and tattoo needles have been described. Infection through shaving and manicure equipment that is reused without disinfection cannot be ruled out.
There have been cases of infection during transplantation of organs and tissues (even corneas), mothers while breastfeeding children (through saliva from an HIV-infected child of the mother - through cracks in the nipple area, as well as from the mother through milk to the child), when infected blood gets on the skin, mucous membranes . The possibility of infection when using a shared toothbrush and other personal hygiene items is not denied.
Cases of infection of medical workers from HIV-infected persons due to accidental injections, cuts, and splashing of blood during medical procedures have been described. Infection cannot be ruled out due to extensive or prolonged contamination of the skin surface with blood.
The vertical route of transmission from mother to fetus occurs transplacentally or during childbirth. According to various sources, the probability of infection ranges from 25 to 50%. Since the child may have maternal antibodies, the authenticity of his infection is established during the 18-month observation process.
Populations most at risk of infection: men who have sex with men, women sex workers, injecting drug users, persons who frequently change sexual partners, patients with hemophilia, receiving concentrated factors VIII and IX of the blood coagulation system, citizens traveling to countries unfavorable for AIDS. The risk group also includes medical workers who, due to the nature of their work, are constantly in contact with the blood and other biological fluids of patients. By the nature of their activities, police officers can also be included in this group. Currently, the sexual route is 82%.
The susceptibility of men and women to HIV is almost the same. The prevalence of one sex or another depends on the route of infection. In heterosexual relationships, women become infected more often. Airborne transmission of infection is denied. According to most researchers, infection through household contacts (handshakes, friendly kisses, use of shared cutlery, baths, toilets, swimming in a pool, sauna) has not been proven.
Transmission by blood-sucking insects and cases of oral (food) infection have not been described.
Every year in various countries, regardless of the economic and social level of development, the number of carriers of the hepatitis C virus is growing. Spreading of this disease mainly associated with the intensive growth of drug addiction and the negligence of people who perform injection procedures in the field of cosmetology services, dental, gynecological and other medical services.
Hepatitis C: sources, routes and methods of infection
In hepatology, there are two main sources of hepatitis C virus: patients with an active form of hepatitis C and carriers of the latent virus. Both sources have their own specific flow:
How can you become infected with hepatitis C?
- general state of weakness
- aching pain syndromes in the right hypochondrium
- pain in joint and muscle areas
- loss of appetite, vomiting
- sudden weight loss
- intestinal and stool disorders
- change in color of urine and stool
- yellow color of the skin and sclera
- injection manipulations in medical, gynecological and dental services
- injection equipment for acupuncture, piercing, tattoos
- injection manipulations when administering narcotic drugs
- injection manipulations in hairdressing and cosmetology services
- hemodialysis and procedures for transfusion of infected donor blood
- at room temperature the virus remains active for more than 16 hours, but not more than 4 days
- at sub-zero temperatures the virus persists for years
- at a temperature of 100 degrees C (boiling) the virus is destroyed within a few minutes
- disappears instantly when exposed to ultraviolet rays
The above symptoms are presented in the exact sequence of their manifestations. The last three points indicate initial stage damage to liver cells.
The absence and insufficient severity of the above symptoms of the virus contributes to the transition in 95% of cases acute form V chronic form diseases, which leads to necrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer.
There are several ways of infection with the hepatitis C virus. The viral disease is transmitted primarily through blood, skin and mucous membranes, instrumental and sexual contact. The instrumental route of infection occurs due to refusal to comply with proper sanitary and hygienic standards.
Instrumental infection occurs as a result of:
Sexual infection with the hepatitis C virus occurs only in a situation of unprotected sexual intercourse with a carrier.
Statistics indicate that the percentage of sexual transmission of the virus is growing every year; the growth dynamics are associated with a sample of people who prefer unprotected sexual intercourse. And since a carrier of the hepatitis C virus looks no different from healthy person, such a factor is a potential threat for all those who prefer casual sex. The risk of infection increases for women who have unprotected sexual intercourse during menstruation and for others who prefer unprotected sexual intercourse, which carries a risk of injury to the mucous membranes.
Persistence of hepatitis C virus in the body and the environment
Virus persistence time
The peculiarity of the causative agent of hepatitis C at the molecular level is distinguished by its ability to change. To date, more than 40 variations of the hepatitis C virus are known. Each of these HCV variants is characterized by its own clinical picture and area of damage to the body. Some of them tend to occur in a latent-chronic form, while others actively damage cells of the liver, lungs, and stomach, which leads to the development of fatal diseases.
Experts note that mutation of the virus occurs at the gene level, as a result of which the immune system does not have time to produce the necessary antibodies. Mutation of the hepatitis C virus in the body occurs constantly, and while the immune system tries to protect the body by producing certain antibodies to a specific virus, in parallel the same virus is modified and its genetic set now consists of other antigens.
Due to the constant genetic variability of the virus in the body, quantitative and qualitative diagnostics are required to determine the specific type of virus in the blood, which will allow the creation of an adequate treatment method.
During numerous laboratory research on monkeys, several facts have been revealed. Research has revealed: hepatitis C virus, the stability of which in the external environment depends on various conditions:
The virus dies almost instantly and under the influence of disinfectants and antiseptics. These include:
It is known that the virus in plasma for transfusion remains active for several years.
It is important to note that hepatitis C is not airborne. A household way transmission of the virus can occur when sharing a razor and manicure accessories with a carrier of the virus.
Consequences of chronic hepatitis C
The ability of the virus to constantly mutate leads to its sustainable development in the body, which leads to chronic hepatitis and fatal diseases. The second cause of chronic hepatitis is the asymptomatic course of the disease. Despite the fact that the incubation period of the virus in the body lasts almost 3 months, in most cases the main signs of the disease may not appear, or they may veil certain signs under another disease that has general symptoms with hepatitis C.
Chronic hepatitis C makes itself felt after a couple of decades. Patients learn about their disease most often when they go to the doctor with complaints of severe pain in the liver area. The main consequences of chronic hepatitis C:
- Gastric stenosis. It is characterized by symptoms - bitterness in the mouth, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, vomiting when eating.
- Pulmonary fibrosis. Develops against the background of chronic inflammation in the body. It is characterized by the appearance of fibrous tissue growth with the appearance of scars.
- Cirrhosis of the liver. It is characterized by pathological changes in the liver - scarring, wrinkling and drying of the liver.
- Hepatic coma develops as a consequence of pathological liver disorders. Characterized by the breakdown of liver cells, necrosis.
- Liver cancer is the appearance of a malignant tumor as a result of another mutation of the hepatitis C virus genes.
- Ascites - accumulation large quantity fluids resulting from cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are cases where hepatitis C infection, thanks to high immunity, could be cured without drug therapy. The probability of such an outcome is 10%.
In such cases, people remain carriers of this virus, but do not suffer themselves. In rare cases, the functional activity of the liver is disrupted; constant monitoring by a doctor is required.
Preventive actions
Due to the resistance of the hepatitis C virus in the external environment, the following preventive measures have been identified:
Follow safety rules
Hepatitis C is a viral disease that causes dangerous and fatal liver disease. The virus slowly and painfully claims thousands of lives every year.
HIV infection, human immunodeficiency virus
HIV infection is an infectious process in the human body caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), characterized by a slow progression, damage to the immune and nervous systems, the subsequent development against this background of opportunistic infections and neoplasms, leading to death in those infected with HIV.
Currently, there are 3 types of HIV known, in their circulation adherent to a certain geographical area(among them there are about 70 subtypes) HIV1, HIV2, HIV3
and the shell is the capsid)
HIV is unstable in the external environment.
In its native state, in the blood on environmental objects it retains its infectivity for up to 14 days, in dried substrates for up to 7 days.
At the same time, it is resistant to UV rays and gamma radiation in doses usually used for sterilization.
Penetration of HIV into target cells of the human body is carried out using surface receptors complementary to the surface areas of the membranes of target cells (CD4 protein)
4. Intestinal lymphoepithelial cells
Virus life cycle
1. Interaction of the viral receptor with the CD4 protein of the target cell.
2.Deproteinization and penetration into the cell.
With AIDS T4 / T8 = 0.3-0.5
It is important that T4 is greater than T8, or equal. A sharp decrease in the number of T-helpers means the body’s defenselessness (disappearance of the function of managing the immune response, recognizing “self” from “foreign”).”
The source is a person at all five stages of infection!
Antibodies will appear in an infected person no earlier than 6-8 weeks!
Routes of transmission of HIV infection
Conditions of HIV transmission
Liquids, degree of hazard, which have not been identified in relation to HIV transmission:
According to the order of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus dated 04.08.1997 No. 201 “On changing the organization of work on HIV infection in health care facilities”
"...is carried out when a large amount or biological fluid gets on the wound surface or mucous membranes and consists of taking retrovir (zidovudine, azidotimide -AZT) or its analogues at a dose of 200 mg every 4 hours for 3 days, then 200 mg every 6 hours in within 25 days)
It is a short course of prophylactic use of antiretroviral drugs to reduce the risk of developing HIV infection after possible infection (occurring in the line of duty or under other circumstances)
Azidotimidine 200 mg every four hours x 3 days,
Instead of AZT, the following can be used:
1.nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors NRTIs-Zidovudine (retrovir), zalcitabine (hivid), didanosine (videx), lavimudin (epivir), etc.
2. Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) - nevirapine, delavirdine, efavirenz)
3. Protease inhibitors (PIs) - indinavir, ritonavir)
Indications for PEP
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spid-vich.net - notes from a doctor from an AIDS hotspot - is a collective blog about one of the most terrible diseases of the 20th century. The site contains all currently available information about HIV and AIDS: treatment methods, symptoms, diagnosis, facts and myths. New articles, statistics of cases by region and country, and the dynamics of the spread of AIDS across the planet are published regularly. HIV infection in Russia in 2017 remains one of the most pressing problems requiring prevention and the closest attention from young people, men and women. Everyone should know how HIV and AIDS are transmitted.
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How long does the HIV virus live in the external environment? At what temperature does HIV die? All about HIV
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome was identified back in 1981 with the help of a group of scientists from America. The most correct name for the disease, which is popularly classified as AIDS, is HIV infection. This disease is caused by a virus that was studied back in 1983 by American and French researchers. The HIV virus is very difficult to treat, or rather, practically incurable, so the problem of combating this disease has been going on for a long time. We will try to tell you everything about HIV infection in this article. What it is? How does the infection spread? How long does the HIV virus live in the external environment? Is it possible to become infected at home?
If an HIV infection occurs, this does not mean that a person has AIDS. From contracting an infection to the stage of development of this terrible disease, a long period of time passes, about 10-12 years. How long does the HIV virus live in the external environment? This will be discussed further.
Impact on the immune system
The body's immune system is designed to protect it from foreign organisms that pose a potential biological threat to human life. They are not part of the human body, therefore, upon penetration, they cause a certain (protective) reaction of the immune system: nausea, vomiting, increased body temperature, etc. All such symptoms will accompany a person at a time when the immune system is trying to overcome a foreign microorganism. Various viruses, colds, bacteria, fungi, staphylococci, donor material or internal organs- these are all antigens.
The components of the immune system include several organs: the thymus gland, Bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, thyroid gland, as well as cells of lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages. In HIV infection, the most important role is played by T cells (lymphocytes), which recognize this and other viruses in the body. They accelerate their regenerative properties and encourage other elements of the immune system to fight and suppress viruses, including HIV. It is the HIV virus that destroys lymphocytes, cells of the brain, intestines and lungs. This disrupts the protective properties of the immune system, and soon completely destroys it.
Quite often, a virus that has entered the body can live there for 1 to 5 years, without revealing itself, so to speak, being in an inactive state. Those same T cells contribute to the production of a certain amount of antibodies, which determine the presence of the virus in the body. Once it has entered the blood, a person automatically becomes its carrier and distributor, capable of infecting other healthy people.
The development of this disease is very slow and lasts many years. The only signs indicating the presence of the disease are inflamed lymph nodes. After incubation period HIV infection multiplies rapidly, destroying absolutely all cells of the immune system, thereby causing a disease called AIDS.
The danger of this virus
AIDS and HIV infection itself do not have fatal consequences, they only create the conditions for this. With immunodeficiency, the body is not able to fight even the smallest and most insignificant infections that penetrate it. This causes the development of severe forms of disease with complications that lead to serious consequences. If a person affected by the immunodeficiency virus catches another serious infection (Botkin disease, Zika virus), the body will not respond to drug treatment and the disease will only progress.
HIV infection
The immunodeficiency virus is transmitted through blood or secretions, for example from the genitals. In other words, only the carrier of the disease can spread the infection. The HIV virus is contained in the patient's blood, breast milk, and genital secretions (sperm).
At first, the virus does not manifest itself at all and does not make itself felt, so very often those infected are not aware of their condition.
Actually, the virus can be transmitted from person to person through blood or sexual intercourse.
Very often in practice cases of accidental infection occur. This happens when you visit a dentist or manicurist who had an infected patient before you, and the instrument was not properly disinfected, after surgery with an unsterile instrument, and other similar cases are possible.
But the virus is not always transmitted from a person; it can develop in the body in a non-contact manner. Quite often in world practice there are cases where the immunodeficiency virus was caused by other severe viral diseases, such as extensive tuberculosis or viral hepatitis.
Many people fear bites from various animals and insects. It is worth saying that only people can carry the immunodeficiency virus; animals are not transmitters. The only exceptions are insects that feed on blood (in our regions these are mosquitoes, in Asian countries you can add leeches).
In what way is it impossible to get infected?
How long does it take for HIV to die in the external environment and is it possible to get the infection through domestic means? From the external environment, the virus does not enter the human blood, but only onto the skin, so observing the rules of personal hygiene will be an excellent prevention of the disease.
You should not be afraid of people infected with HIV; they are not dangerous to others if you do not have sexual contact with them. The virus is also not transmitted by shaking hands. It is impossible to become infected even through items you use yourself (combs, clothes, dishes, cutlery). The infection does not spread in saunas, swimming pools, sports and gyms, so there is no need to be afraid to visit such places.
How to recognize the disease?
How long does the HIV virus live in the external environment and how does it spread? After infection, HIV infection does not manifest itself in any way, and the patient does not experience any discomfort and, as a rule, does not even suspect that he is infected. In rare cases, months later flu-like symptoms may appear: the temperature rises, chills, and fever, but there is no runny nose and the throat does not hurt. The only symptom by which this infection can be identified is a rash on the skin in the abdominal area. If you suddenly begin to feel periodic weakness, nausea, aversion to food, dizziness, and all this is not associated with poisoning or another disease, you should take an HIV-AIDS test.
The latent (latent) form of the disease develops over a fairly long period and the person does not feel discomfort, but this does not mean that changes do not occur in the body. An HIV test will help determine the presence of the virus in the body. This is a common blood test for antibodies produced by the immune system (as a reaction to HIV infection entering the body). How long does the HIV virus live in the external environment? Let's discuss this in more detail.
HIV virus: resistance in the external environment
So, let's talk about the persistence of this virus in the external environment. How long does the virus live outside the body? The HIV virus is very unstable and does not live long in the external environment. Many scientists debate the length of time the virus remains active in household conditions. Some claim that he lives only a couple of minutes, others state that he lives outside the body for several hours. One way or another, if HIV infection could live outside the body for a long time, in the world practice of treating this disease one could observe household methods of infection, but they are absent. How long does HIV persist in the external environment? It is not a bacillus infection or a fungal spore, so the virus cannot live in soil, much less for long.
How persistent is HIV infection in the external environment?
How long does the virus live outside the body? A completely different case is when it is in the external environment along with DNA (a drop of blood, sperm). Its lifespan in this case is influenced by factors such as the amount of DNA and ambient temperature. Under stable conditions and temperature conditions, the HIV virus in DNA in the external environment can live for more than 48 days. This is why non-sterile dental, manicure and surgical instruments that contain drops of blood from an infected person can infect healthy people for several days.
At what temperature does the virus die?
So, at what temperature does HIV die? It is not able to withstand high temperatures. Virus particles begin to die if they are heated for half an hour at a temperature starting from 56 degrees Celsius, but these are not critical indicators, since the most resistant cells will remain alive and will eventually be reborn.
If we talk about the virus in the form in which it is contained in the blood, then the process will take longer, and the temperature should be slightly higher. This virus has a protein shell, and, accordingly, is completely destroyed at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. If you keep the biomaterial at these thermometer readings for 40 minutes, the virus will die completely and irrevocably. So, you have found out how long the HIV virus lives in the external environment and whether it is possible to become infected at home. Now you know that this terrible infection can be avoided. Health to you and your family!
HIV infection. You should know it
Etiology. Morphology of the pathogen.
HIV belongs to a family of retroviruses that have a special enzyme called reverse transcriptase. Viruses of this family reproduce through the stage of proviral DNA (a process specific to retroviruses).
The genome contains 2 groups of genes: structural and regulatory.
Highly sensitive to heat. At 56 gr. within 10 minutes. inactivated and dies within 30 minutes. At 100 gr. dies instantly. Disinfectants - usual concentrations according to the bactericidal regime. Ethyl alcohol, acetone, ether act as they evaporate. Optimal pH 7.0-8.0.
List of target cells:
2. Macrophages - monocytes (including skin)
Specifically adsorbed on the surface of target cells, HIV fuses with their membrane, is freed from the membrane and penetrates into the cell, where it carries out the correspondence of reversetase.
3. Reverse transcription (4 stages)
Such a cell has become a lifelong carrier of HIV and will pass it on to its offspring. The life cycle of the virus leads to cell death!
Normal ratio T4 / T8 =2
It is important that T4 is greater than T8, or equal. A sharp decrease in the number of T-helpers means the body’s defenselessness (disappearance of the function of managing the immune response, recognizing “one’s own” from “another’s).”
Clinical stages of HIV infection
Remember the existence of the seroconversion window!
Universal precautions (UPP)
This is a set of measures aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of infections between patients and healthcare workers through contact with blood and other biological fluids
UMP must be carried out in all medical institutions and by all medical workers!
The guidelines should be observed when working with the following biological fluids of the body:
Measures to prevent parenteral infection in the healthcare system
A gown and gloves must be used and must be cleaned after each patient.
The first aid kit should contain:
Actions of a medical worker in case of professional contact
If biomaterial gets on mucous membranes
If there is contact with the biomaterial while the skin is intact
According to the order of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus dated 04.08.1997 No. 201 “On changing the organization of work on HIV infection in health care facilities”
“... is carried out when a large amount or biological fluid gets on the wound surface or mucous membranes and consists of taking retrovir (zidovudine, azidotimide -AZT) or its analogues at a dose of 200 mg every 4 hours for 3 days, then 200 mg every 6 hours in within 25 days)
AZT prophylaxis should be started within the first 24 hours after the accident, preferably after 1-2 hours, without waiting for examination of the patient who may be the source of infection. If the patient's examination results are negative, chemoprophylaxis is stopped. Before starting AZT, serum should be taken for laboratory testing to check for seronegativity. During the observation period, the employee is prohibited from donating blood.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Scheme of post-exposure prophylaxis (from project No. 201 dated 04.08.97 Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus)
then 200 mg every 6 hours x 25 days.
Informed consent form for post-exposure prophylaxis HIV infections