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Publication
HIV- infection in women, children and adolescents in Portugal
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
O Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana é classificado como um retrovírus e, atualmente, continua a representar uma ameaça global para a humanidade. Se a infeção não for controlada, pode evoluir para um estado mais grave chamado Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida, que conduz ao aparecimento de infeções oportunistas e, eventualmente, à morte. As infeções por VIH existem praticamente em todos os países do mundo, porém, o continente africano permanece o mais afetado. Em Portugal, a incidência de casos tem vindo a diminuir ao longo dos anos, mas não deixa de ser um dos países com maior número de infeções em comparação aos restantes da Europa Ocidental. Alguns dos grupos mais vulneráveis à infeção são: as crianças, os adolescentes e as mulheres. Tanto os adolescentes, como as mulheres adultas podem incorrer em comportamentos de risco de variados tipos, tais como: sexuais, relacionados com a não utilização de contraceção; uso de drogas injetáveis com materiais de administração contaminados; ou, no caso de já estarem infetados, de não seguirem o plano terapêutico proposto, ato este que impede o controlo da doença e conduz a uma progressão mais rápida da mesma. Inevitavelmente, as crianças poderão ser prejudicadas pela atitude da progenitora, que pode transmitir a infeção durante a gestação, o trabalho de parto ou a amamentação. Se não forem devidamente tratadas têm maior risco de evoluir para o estado de SIDA ou até mesmo de falecer nos primeiros anos de vida. A terapêutica antirretroviral (profilaxia ou tratamento) tem sido a grande responsável por transformar a infeção por VIH numa doença crónica, permitindo aos doentes ter uma melhor qualidade de vida, com menor risco de mortalidade e morbilidade. Apesar de terem existido alguns avanços terapêuticos, ainda não existe cura para o VIH e a possibilidade do aparecimento de uma vacina continua longínqua. Neste trabalho é feita uma revisão da fisiopatologia e epidemiologia mundial e nacional, bem como uma análise dos fatores que contribuem para a infeção nos grupos principais: crianças, mulheres e adolescentes, na tentativa de perceber o que é ainda necessário mudar no sentido de mitigar a propagação desta doença.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is classified as a retrovirus and, currently, continues to be a global threat to humanity. If the infection is not controlled, it can develop to a more serious condition called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which leads to the appearance of opportunistic infections and eventually death. HIV infections exist in every country in the world, but the African continent remains the most affected. In Portugal, the incidence of cases has been decreasing over the years, however, it is still one of the countries with the highest rate of infections compared to the rest of Western Europe. Some of the most vulnerable groups to infection are: children, adolescents and women. Both teenagers and adult women can engage in risky behaviors of various types, namely: sexual, related to not using contraception; injecting drug use with contaminated administration materials; or, in case they are already infected, not following the proposed therapeutic plan, which prevents the disease from being controlled and leading to its faster progression. Inevitably, children may be affected negatively by the mother’s behavior as she can transmit the infection during pregnancy, when she is in labor or during breastfeeding. If children are not properly treated, they incur in a greater risk of developing AIDS or even die in the first years of life. The antiretroviral therapy (treatment or prophylaxis) has been largely responsible for transforming HIV infection into a chronic disease, allowing patients to have a better quality of life, with less risk of mortality and morbidity. Although there have been some therapeutic advances, there is still no cure for HIV and the emergence of a vaccine continues to be just a possibility. This work reviews the pathophysiology and epidemiology worldwide and nationally, as well as an analysis of factors that have contributed to the infection among the main groups: children, women and adolescents, in an attempt to understand what is still needed to change so that the infection spread can be reduced.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is classified as a retrovirus and, currently, continues to be a global threat to humanity. If the infection is not controlled, it can develop to a more serious condition called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which leads to the appearance of opportunistic infections and eventually death. HIV infections exist in every country in the world, but the African continent remains the most affected. In Portugal, the incidence of cases has been decreasing over the years, however, it is still one of the countries with the highest rate of infections compared to the rest of Western Europe. Some of the most vulnerable groups to infection are: children, adolescents and women. Both teenagers and adult women can engage in risky behaviors of various types, namely: sexual, related to not using contraception; injecting drug use with contaminated administration materials; or, in case they are already infected, not following the proposed therapeutic plan, which prevents the disease from being controlled and leading to its faster progression. Inevitably, children may be affected negatively by the mother’s behavior as she can transmit the infection during pregnancy, when she is in labor or during breastfeeding. If children are not properly treated, they incur in a greater risk of developing AIDS or even die in the first years of life. The antiretroviral therapy (treatment or prophylaxis) has been largely responsible for transforming HIV infection into a chronic disease, allowing patients to have a better quality of life, with less risk of mortality and morbidity. Although there have been some therapeutic advances, there is still no cure for HIV and the emergence of a vaccine continues to be just a possibility. This work reviews the pathophysiology and epidemiology worldwide and nationally, as well as an analysis of factors that have contributed to the infection among the main groups: children, women and adolescents, in an attempt to understand what is still needed to change so that the infection spread can be reduced.
Description
Trabalho Final de Mestrado Integrado, Ciências Farmacêuticas, 2021, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia.
Keywords
VIH Portugal Women Adolescents Children Mestrado integrado - 2021