HIV
What is HIV?
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is thought to be the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a virus that influences nearly a million Americans every year (Silverstein, 1991).
HIV is usually classified as a retrovirus that uses RNA templates to create DNA. For example , within the key of HIV, a double molecule of ribonucleic acid, RNA, is present. When the computer virus invades a cell, this genetic materials is replicated in the form of DNA.
However , to be able to produce this kind of DNA, HIV must first be able to develop a particular chemical that can create a DNA molecule by using a RNA theme. This chemical, known as RNA-directed DNA polymerase, is also termed as reverse transcription because it verso the typical cell phone process of transcription.
The DNA molecules made by invert transcription happen to be then put in the genetic material with the host cell, where they are co-replicated together with the host’s chromosomes. As a result, they may be distributed for all daughter cells during following cell partitions. The virus then generates RNA replications of their genetic materials. These new HIV identical dwellings become protected with protein coats and leave the cell to find other web host cells to repeat the process.
The HIV virus, like many other viruses, focuses on particular types of skin cells in the body and occupy them. HIV targets the To cells with the immune system, and also the brain, worried system, gastrointestinal system, lymphatic system, and other parts of the human body.
The immune system consists of specialized cells, which usually fight off microbes in an effort to preserve a healthy body (Aronstein, 1998). The “T” cellular material are the minds of the procedure. These tiny white blood vessels cells determine invaders and alert soldier-type cells, which in turn fight numerous bacteria, infections, cancers, fungi, and organisms that can harm the body.
The primary goal with the HIV computer virus is to replicate itself. Mainly because it attacks and invades a T cellular, it changes that cellular into a little virus stock. Eventually, numerous new viruses are located in the cell the T cell explodes, pushing the HIV back into the bloodstream. The virus then invades clean T skin cells and repeats its quest. Eventually, the HIV virus can eliminate all of an infected person’s T cells.
How HIV is Distributed
HIV is simply spread through the exchange of bodily fluids, just like blood and semen (Silverstein). In most cases, HIV from the body fluids of infected men and women gets into the blood stream of an uninfected person during unprotected sex. However , unguaranteed sex is definitely not in order that the disease is propagate.
A person can become infected with HIV because of sharing tiny needles or syringes, which offer direct contact with the blood associated with an infected individual. Many medicine users happen to be infected in this way, as they frequently inject fine needles into their problematic veins (Folks, 98, p. 4).
In addition , a mother who may have HIV may transmit the disease to her baby, before or perhaps during having a baby, or through breast-feeding. Yet , research demonstrates only 25 to 35% of infants born to HIV-infected mothers around the world become infected in this way (p. 6). Still, this process of infection is responsible for 90% of all cases of HIV in children.
HIV is passed along through open-mouth kissing, as well as sharing essential fluids, toothbrushes and razors.
Detection and Diagnosis
In the 1980’s, a blood test was invented that can detect remnants of HIV in the bloodstream (Aronstein). The initial test could show if the person’s blood held antibodies against HIV, which suggested that the person was subjected to the computer virus.
In the 1990’s, an additional bloodstream test was created to detect HIV antigens, enabling doctors to identify HIV even before a person’s defense mechanisms had time to make antibodies.
The Center to get Disease Control and Prevention’s authoritative classification for the diagnoses of AIDS concludes that the CD4 T-cell count in an HIV positive person must be below 200 cells per cu mm of blood, or there must be a clinical overall look of an primary AIDS-defining opportunistic infection, just like PCP (a type of pneumonia), oral candidiasis, pulmonary tuberculosis, or unpleasant cervical cáncer (cancer inside the cervix of women) (Virginia Silverstein 23).
Symptoms of HIV
During the initially stages of HIV, a lot of people experience few or no symptoms of the disease (Cohen, 1999). In respect to studies, the majority of people contaminated with HIV show momentary, gentle symptoms immediately after affection. Nevertheless , most write off these symptoms as a handful of or