DRUG DISCOVERY
HIV AND AIDS
the basics of hiv/aids
The viral disease HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus attacks the body's immune system, which protects you from infectious microorganisms that invade the body. HIV is spread through contact with blood, semen, breast milk, and other bodily fluids of a person infected with HIV. Upon entering the body, this disease targets the CD4 cells, or T-Helper cells, of the immune system. With decreasing numbers of CD4 cells, it is harder for the body to fight off infections, viruses, and specific cancers. Over time, if it is not treated, HIV can weaken the immune system so much that the virus progresses to AIDS.
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AIDS, also known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is the final and most severe stage of an HIV infection. A healthy person has a CD4 cell count of 500 to 1,600 cells per cubic millimeter (cells/mm3) in a sample of blood, meaning there are plenty of disease-fighting cells in the immune system to keep the body safe from infections. However, a person with AIDS has a CD4 cell count of less than 200 cells/mm3. This indicates a dangerously weak immune system and the need for immediate medical attention.
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The origin of hiv/aids
HIV was traced back and found to be originated in West Africa. In this region, a chimpanzee was identified by scientists as the carrier for the virus, but in a chimpanzee form: simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). While hunting for chimpanzees, humans often had contact with their blood, which was infected with the virus. SIV would then mutate into HIV and infect the hunter. From there, the virus would spread throughout Africa and, in a matter of time, the rest of the world.
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transmission and effects
HIV transmission is defined as "the person-to-person spread of HIV". It is spread through contact with specific types of bodily fluids: blood, semen, pre-seminal fluids, vaginal fluids, breast milk, and rectal fluids. Transmission of this virus is successful if these bodily fluids enter the body through open wounds or damaged tissue, unprotected sexual intercourse, or direct contact into the bloodstream, commonly with a needle or syringe. HIV can also be spread by mother-to-child transmission. This type of transmission is the spread of HIV from a mother to her child while she is pregnant, during childbirth, or through breastfeeding. To reduce the chances of an HIV transmission, an HIV-positive person must be more careful and alert with others, including their partner.
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After the virus is able to enter the body and the bloodstream, it attacks the immune system. HIV targets CD4 cells and binds with them, infecting the cell and forcing it to make copies of the virus. This causes the CD4 cells to lose their initial job in the immune system, as well as the body to lose its capability of fighting infections. Because HIV can weaken the immune system so much, the body is more susceptible to other viruses, diseases or invading microorganisms.
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Click on the video on the right to learn more.
stages and symptoms
First Stage
In the early stage of an HIV infection, "about 40% to 90% of people have flu-like symptoms within 2-4 weeks" after receiving the virus. However, some people may react differently to the invading HIV and experience no sickness at all, called acute HIV infection. Some flu-like symptoms can be: fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue, and more. During this stage, some HIV tests may not detect the virus, but the virus is still able to transmit to others.
Second Stage
The next stage is called the clinical latency stage, also known as chronic HIV infection. The HIV replicates at low rates, but it is still present. In this stage, "people with chronic HIV infection may not have any HIV-related symptoms, or only mild ones". If HIV-positive people in this stage are treating their HIV with antiretroviral therapy (ART), this stage could last for decades and longer, since the virus is being controlled and treated. In contrast, those who don't take medication for their HIV may move on from this stage faster and advance to the last stage.
Third Stage
The final and most critical stage of HIV is called AIDS, also known as the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This occurs when the virus weakens the body until the immune system is severely damaged. Some of the symptoms that comes with AIDS are: rapid weight loss, extreme fatigue, pneumonia, and more. Much of these symptoms and sicknesses are signs of opportunistic infections, or infections that happen more often due to weakened immune systems.
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