Overview.
AIDS-related Complex (ARC) or AIDS-related syndrome, also known as para-AIDS or pre-AIDS, is a nonspecific prodromal symptom of early AIDS. There is no universally recognized and agreed upon definition of ARC.
Causes
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mainly attacks the human immune system, including CD4+ T lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells, etc., which ultimately leads to immunodeficiency of the body, secondary to various opportunistic infections or tumors.
Symptoms
In the early stage, there may be fatigue, weakness, generalized discomfort, and unexplained weight loss. As the disease progresses, dyspepsia, chronic diarrhea, persistent fever, night sweats, cough, dyspnea, lethargy, and anemia may occur. In severe cases, there may be generalized lymph node enlargement, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, leukoplakia of oral and tongue mucosa, skin fungal disease, herpes zoster, genital and anal herpes simplex, vision loss or blindness, neuralgia, arthritis, headache, myalgia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, etc., and even malignant morbidity and infantile growth disorders. The above diseases and symptoms can involve multiple organs of the body, but different patients may have different manifestations and may not necessarily have all of the above manifestations. Female patients may also have vaginal candidiasis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and other diseases.
Examination
1. Blood test
Cytopenia or thrombocytopenia, lymphocytopenia.
2. Immunologic examination
Decrease in CD4+ T-lymphocytes, decrease in CD4+ T-lymphocyte/CD8+ T-lymphocyte ratio, increase in serum globulin level and circulating immune complex level.
3. Skin test
Skin is not reactive to a variety of skin test antigens.
4.Antigen detection
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA and P24 antigen tests are useful for diagnosis, especially for shortening the antibody “window period” and for early diagnosis of neonatal infections.
Diagnosis
1. After infection with human immunodeficiency virus, the following signs and symptoms persist, generally considered to be the disease: (1) fever, night sweats, diarrhea, malaise lasting more than 1 month; (2) weight loss of more than 10%; (3) with headache, personality changes, memory loss, apathy and even dementia neuropsychiatric symptoms; (4) extensive generalized lymph node enlargement, the diameter of lymph nodes is more than 1cm, no pressure, no adhesion; (5) two or two lymph nodes, the diameter of lymph nodes, no pressure, and no adherence to the lymph nodes; (6) the lymph node enlargement is more than 1cm, no pressure, and no adhesion. (5) Enlargement of lymph nodes in 2 or more places (except the groin); (6) Enlargement of lymph nodes lasting for more than 3 months.
2. Some scholars suggest that the precursor symptoms of AIDS may include: ① fatigue, aggravated in the morning; ② sudden weight loss; ③ unexplained diarrhea; ④ dry mouth and tongue, white film on the tongue, pain; ⑤ pain in the body, obvious in the back; ⑥ enlarged lymph nodes; ⑦ pneumonia; ⑧ skin rash; ⑨ lymphoma; ⑩ premature aging.
3. The frequency and timing of the development of AIDS-related complex signs into AIDS cannot be determined. In some patients with AIDS-related syndromes characterized by lymphadenopathy, Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) or lymphoma may be latent in the lymph nodes. The likelihood of a patient with AIDS-related syndrome developing AIDS within 3 years has been reported to be 20%.
Differential Diagnosis
Fever, weight loss, night sweats, loss of appetite, lethargy, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, dyspepsia, skin lesions and ocular discomfort, chronic generalized lymph nodes and hepatosplenomegaly, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and herpes zoster are all nonspecific symptoms of pre-AIDS, and until human immunodeficiency virus infection is clearly identified, a detailed history, family history, and occupational exposures should be asked about, combined with laboratory The diagnosis should be made by taking a detailed medical history, family history, occupational exposure, and laboratory tests.
Treatment
The progression from primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to end-stage AIDS is a long and complex process, and treatment options are therefore complex and varied. The timing and regimen of antiretroviral therapy varies among patients of different ages and with different symptoms of HIV infection.