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HIV researchers are working round-the-clock searching for an effective treatment and cure against HIV infection. However, some people are just too stubborn and continue risky behaviour even with the global threat of the virus. Know the five lethal associated diseases with AIDS and their treatments currently being researched by medical experts.

AIDS-Associated Kaposi Sarcoma

It is also known as the "Epidemic KS" which was described back in 1980s as an aggressive disease in AIDS patients; over 300 times more common in AIDS patients than in renal transplant recipients.

Causes: A virus called human herpesvirus 8 or HHV8 causes KS among AIDS patients. Due to the weakened immune system, the virus creates tumour growth in various parts of the body which is fatal.

Transmission: Saliva can be a transmission medium which risks individuals through kissing. It is also a major transmission mode if used as a sexual lubricant.

Treatment: No cure. Kaposi sarcoma can only be managed but remission may occur with high-resistance against drugs. Other intervention may include surgery and systemic therapy.

Staph Infection

Staphylococcus aureus are usually found in the human respiratory tract and on the skin which not always pathogenic. However, disease-associated strains can cause life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and endocarditis.

Causes: Certain strain of staphylococcus aureus and the Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus or MRSA.

Transmission: Respiratory infection caused by staphyloccus aureus can be transmitted from one person to another via sneezing or coughing.

Treatment: Antibiotics such as penicillin are used to treat staph infection but drug-resistant strains are now common.

Viral Hepatitis

It is a medical condition defined by liver inflammation due to a viral infection. Viral hepatitis are categorised as A, B, C, D and E. Chronic hepatitis can cause liver cancer.

Causes: Viral hepatitis is commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses and by other viruses such as herpes simplex.

Transmission: Some hepatitis is transmittable by blood, semen or vaginal fluids while others are transmitted through organ donation.

Treatment: Hepatitis A doesn't have a specific treatment and advised by doctor to take rest, eat well-balanced diet and avoid alcohol and fatty foods. Hepatitis B is normally cleared by the immune system but on other cases, drugs are designed to stop the virus from replicating to minimise liver damage. Hepatitis C can be treated by drugs if the immune system fails to do so. Hepatitis D can be prevented using Hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis E doesn't have any cure or medication, it is either the person recovers or not.

Tuberculosis

An infectious disease which primarily affecting the lungs and other parts of the body with symptoms such as chronic cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss.

Causes: TB is caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis which can be very difficult to treat due to medication resistance developed overtime.

Transmission: Respiratory fluids from coughing and sneezing can easily transmit the bacteria and immune compromised individuals may be infected instantly.

Treatment: Combination of antibiotics are used to treat TB, however, HIV patients may need to take both antibiotics and ART to fight the infection.

Toxoplasmosis

During the first weeks after exposure, Toxoplasmosis typically causes a mild, flu-like illness or simply no illness at all. People with fully working immune system rarely develop severe symptoms. Toxoplasmosis diagnosis commonly signifies AIDS on a person.

Causes: It is caused by a parasitic protozoan called toxoplasma gondii. People with weakened immune system, young children, pregnant women, patients taking chemotherapy or recently received an organ, commonly suffer serious symptoms following the infection.

Treatment: Medical experts will prescribe both toxoplasmosis drugs and antiretroviral to cover the parasitic infection and AIDS. A definitive HIV testing may determine the real cause of toxoplasmosis infection.