A Short Note On Immune Responses Against Cmv Essay

Unlike other viruses, retrovirus must insert their genome into their host cell before killing it.

We have been aware of HIV and AIDS since the 1970s (Miller, 2012), and though there have been treatments and reduction in the number of people infected, the disease remains. The disease results in death usually following opportunistic infections as a result of AIDS destruction of the immune system, but thanks to modern medicine “many people

The most common vector for the virus to enter the body is through sexual transmission, either by anal, oral, or vaginal sex. The highest risk activity is anal sex, as the mucous membrane inflammation facilitates HIV transmission (McCutchan, 2013). However, other modes such as sharing needles when injecting drugs, tiny cuts or sores on a person’s vagina, mouth, or penis, or simply the birth of a child by an infected mother, can all spread the disease to other

When a virus invades the human body there is an assortment of responses from the immune system relying largely on the particular pathogen type. Viruses invade the host with the purpose of replication to ensure survival. My cytosolic virus is a single stranded RNA virus. The virus is surrounded by an envelope with a lipid membrane. Inside the envelope are matrix proteins, integrase, protease, reverse transcriptase and the RNA genome. All viruses contain three proteins necessary for their survival; one for replication, one for packaging and delivering it to more host cells and a protein that modifies the function or structure of the host

According to Weiss RA. (2008) ). The AIDS plague has already caused the deaths of over 50% its victims. All HIV-infected persons are at higher risk for diseases and death from opportunistic pathogens and neoplastic complications because of the AIDS manifestation. Once HIV infection started, it spread is driven by numerous factors. The arrival of the virus in the 20th century gave a resource for spread not only in the present but also in past human pandemics. According to Mayer K. et al., (2008) Development has led to increased numbers of people at

Syphilis has been around for about 500 years. Syphilis can be contracted through unprotected sex or in some cases drug use. The disease has multiple symptoms which makes diagnosing it a medical nightmare (Immell). Symptoms of syphilis include fever, hair loss, joint paint, rashes and even genital warts. Syphilis is highly contagious and almost certain to be contracted by someone who is exposed to an infected person (Hesketh). AIDS, formally known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is a very contagious disease (Farber). AIDS can be spread by coming in contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. The most common way the disease is transmitted is through sexual activity. Most people who contract AIDS do not live very long at all. Experimental drugs for the treatment of AIDS have been linked to heart attacks and strokes that have killed people (Farber). This is where teenagers

Once the host cell of the body is superimposed by the virus, it then begins its replication process by “budding” newly replicated virus cells by converting the viral RNA into viral DNA using the virus’ own enzymes. This virus severely compromises the immune system responses, both humoral and cell-mediated, by targeting and attacking CD4+ T-helper lymphocyte cells and central nervous system cells. This virus also uses the lymphoid tissues and organs to multiply and contain itself to continue infections throughout the body.

Since AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a disease of the immune system caused by HIV, which is a retrovirus that causes acute immunosuppression. HIV can produce an increase in fatal diseases which includes wasting syndromes and central nervous system disintegration. People with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) develop opportunistic infections once the immune system becomes severely compromised. A patient’s CD4 T-cell is directly related to the risk of developing an opportunistic infection. Additionally, HIV most frequently infects CD4 cells. The CD4 cell count is a key gauge of the health of the immune system. CD4 levels lower than 200 will be at risk for an opportunistic infection. .Patients with AIDS routinely receives a test called the CD4 test. This blood test is taken to count several types of cells. Moreover, this test do not count CD4 cells, it is a calculation based on total white blood cells and the proportion of cells that are CD4. The blood sample is tested to count several types of cells. Interpretation of this test does not count the CD4 cells directly. Instead, the laboratory makes an estimate based on total white blood cells and the percentage of cells that are CD4. Therefore, the CD4 count is not exact. When the CD4 cells has gone down, it is indicative of a weakened immune system. The lower the CD4 cells, the more probable the patient will become sick. A patient loses the ability to fight infection when the CD4 cells have gone down. Once the patient has lost the ability to fight off germs, an opportunistic infection such as pneumonia, skin infections, oral disorders, diarrhea, AIDS related dementia, Kaposi sarcoma, and CNS disorders may occur. Routinely patients are advised to check CD4 cells every three to six months when initiating antiretroviral treatment and once levels has increased, test every six to twelve

HIV corrupts the CD4 cells or T –cells, which weaken the immune system disabling the T-cells from detecting invaders such as viruses and bacteria. As more and more T-cells are destroyed, the immune system weakens and eventually progresses to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV/AIDS thrives in the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast

Patient T.R. presents for a routine physical exam and bloodwork. Patient reports a healthy diet, exercises three-four times per week, takes a multivitamin daily, and omeprazole occasionally for heartburn relief. His husband is HIV positive, but T.R. is not and has never received antiretroviral therapy. T.R.’s labs are normal with the exception of CD4+ T-cell count: 210 cells/mm3; Viral load: 10,000 copies/ml; Genotype: No resistance mutations detected. He is diagnosed with asymptomatic HIV infection. Treatment goals for T.R. include decreasing plasma HIV RNA, maintaining immune system function, preventing opportunistic infections, and preventing transmission of HIV ("AIDSinfo | Information on HIV/AIDS Treatment, Prevention and Research," n.d.).

Opportunistic infections (OIs) are infections that happen frequently and are more serious in individuals with weakened immune systems, including individuals with HIV. They are called “opportunistic” because they can cause overwhelming illnesses and take advantage of your weakened immune system. Most life-threatening OIs occur when your CD4 count is beneath 200 cells/mm. OIs are less normal now than they were in the beginning of HIV and AIDS since there are better treatments to keep a person’s immune system stronger and also lessen the amount of HIV in a person’s body. However, many people with HIV still develop OIs because they may not aware of their HIV infection, they may not keep their HIV levels sufficiently low for their immune system

The presence of any other opportunistic infections or malignancies may also be indicative of HIV. Opportunistic infections occur when typically harmless microorganisms are able to cause disease in individuals who are immunocompromised. Common opportunistic infections in HIV-positive patients include: Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, candidiasis, toxoplasmosis, diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium parvum, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) caused by the JC virus, and many others. Kaposi sarcoma, an opportunistic malignancy, is a major indicator of HIV infection. This cancer occurs only in individuals who are severely immunocompromised and manifests as lesions on the skin and mucous membranes.

HIV, or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus which damages and kills cells of the immune system. It attacks the T-cells, key cells of the immune system, and uses them to make copies of itself. After being infected with the virus it progressively interferes and eventually destroys the immune system's ability to fight the anti-genes. HIV may develop into the syndrome AIDS, the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV is an STD - a sexually transmitted disease - and therefore most commonly it is spread through sexual contact, and the virus mainly enters the body through the penis, mouth, lining of the vagina or vulva during sexual activity. HIV can also be spread through sharing syringes or needles with someone who is infected with the

HIV is found in the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. It is also present in saliva and tears, but there is not enough HIV to cause infection. In order to infect another person, these fluids have to find a way of getting into that other person’s blood. Sharing drug needles with a person infected with the HIV virus is high risk for transmission. Unprotected anal or vaginal sex is also risky because of the exchange of body fluids. One cannot get HIV from dry-kissing on the mouth or from donating blood.

HIV replicates at impeccable speeds creating billions of new HIV viruses to infect the body every day.18 The virus is able to mutate and evolve which makes it that much harder to defeat the virus.19 The CD4 cells and T cells are destroyed daily by HIV which eventually causes the immune system to regenerate or defeat infections.20 HIV is able to hide in the cytoplasm of the cell that it infects or makes its way into the cell’s chromosomes.21 The virus does this to hide from the immune system so it will not be destroyed.22 Some drugs have been found to