Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, the Increasing Need for Surveillance, the UCH/ARV Clinic Experience

Abstract

Background: Identification of epidemiological particularities at patients with HIV/AIDS out of a specific geographic zone permits defining groups of risk for this disease, early diagnosis and applying the methods of prevention and prophylaxis.Methods: The authors have studied a group of 35 patients (male 20, female 15) adults, found in the evidence of the Department of Infectious Diseases Timisoara, residenced in 4 country departments, from western Romania. The positive diagnosis was based on epidemiological elements (type of sexual relationships, drug abuse, prostitution, etc.), clinical (prolonged fever syndrome, weight loss, polyadenopaty, oral candidiasis, etc.), biological (Ab HIV1-2 by ELISA test confirmed by western-blot, PCR viral loads, HBs Ag, Ab HCV, serological syphilis, etc.) and paraclinical methods (pulmonary radiography, abdominal ecography, CT, RMN, etc.). The data was registered and processed using the program Epi Info 6.Results: We mention that 21 patients (60%) were from urban medium and 14 (40%) from rural, aging between 18-36 years; 10 patients (28.57%) were married, 6 patients (17.41%) divorced, one (2.85%) remarried and 17 patients (48.57%) single; 28 patients (80%) had heterosexual relationships, including 26 (74.28%) with multiple partners; 2 men (5.71%) were homosexual; 4 women (11.42%) were prostitutes, including one iv. drug abuse; 3 patients (8.57%) had no sexual relationships; 2 patients (5.71%) were bisexual. We mention that none of the patients practiced safe sex. 5 patients (14.28%) were diagnosticated with syphilis; 6 patients (17.14%) with chronic hepatitis B and 3 (8.57%) with chronic hepatitis C; 26 subjects (74.28%) presented oral candidiasis; 3 patients (8.57%) with recidivating herpes zoster and 4 (11.42%) had recidivating acute pneumonia. 21 patients (60%) had average studies and 6 patients (17.14%) superior studies.Conclusions: The main way of transmitting HIV/AIDS remains the sexual contact. In the studied geographic zone, urgent preventing and prophylaxis methods of this disease are necessary.