The Human Immunodeficiency Virus ("HIV") differs from other viruses in that it actually attacks the body's immune
system. HIV (which is the virus that causes AIDS) suppresses the immune system by attacking and destroying white blood cells (T cells) that network with other immune cells for normal immune responses. As HIV infected T-cells are destroyed, the immune system becomes less able to fight off infections and disease. Persons then become increasingly susceptible to bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, tumors, and opportunistic infections. This causes illnesses that don't usually develop in people with healthy immune systems.
The HIV virus is spread through body fluid contact, including contact with an infected person's blood, vaginal secretions, and semen. Infection will result if any of these body fluids from an HIV-infected person come into contact with an uninfected person's mucus membranes (mouth, nose, eyes, rectum, tip of the penis, and vagina) or with an uninfected person's broken skin. Women can also pass along the HIV infection to their children during delivery or while breastfeeding. Blood-to-blood transmission via sharing of needles is also a way the virus can be transmitted.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is caused by the HIV virus. The HIV virus may eventually progress into a full case of AIDS, although it may lie dormant or show no symptoms for years. The US Center for Disease Control estimates that 1 million people in the United States are currently living and coping with either HIV or AIDS. One fourth of these people don't know they're infected yet, and they are unintentionally spreading the virus. Globally, the number of people living with AIDS/HIV is estimated to be around 33 million (22 million of these cases are in Sub-Saharan Africa alone).
HIV/AIDS treatment must be customized to each patient, with a combination of 2 or 3 therapy of drugs designed to enhance quality of life and delay serious onset of the disease. HIV Antiretroviral Drug treatment is the primary treatment used for HIV/AIDS patients.
Medex BioCare Pharmacy inventories and supplies all available necessary biopharmaceuticals
utilized by physicians in their individual treatment for this chronic condition.