HIV is a member of the Retroviridae (retrovirus) family, its genus: Lentivirus. HIV is an icosahedral, enveloped virus, its size ranging from approximately 100 to 110 nm in diameter.
HIV contains a single stranded, linear, positive sense RNA genome. There are two recognized strains: HIV-1 and HIV-2. Retroviral RNA is converted to DNA by a virally encoded reverse transcriptase enzyme, the DNA transcript is integrated into the host’s chromosomal DNA upon entry of the host cell. Human immunodeficiency virus also known as HIV can infect many cell types such as lymphocytes, macrophages, microglia in the brain and other neurological cells.
This later results in asthenia, dementia and damage to the peripheral nervous system. The HIV
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Anal intercourse in homosexual males as well as intercourse between couples composed of a male and female, are the most common ways to contract the HIV virus. Babies are commonly infected invitro, from an infected mother. Help remains for those infected by the deadly pathogen that is called HIV, but there is still no cure.
Many people in the medical field believe that only 54% those infected, are aware that they are infected, that leaves 46% in the dark. It is estimated that 1.6 million people died as a result of this virus in 2012. The scariest part about HIV and how it is spread is the knowledge that not everyone has been tested yet. HIV can only be diagnosed with certain tests. These experiments in particular, determine whether an individuals’ immune system has produced an
HIV specific immune response. The Indirect binding assay and antibody capture assay, as well as the double antigen sandwich, ELISA, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, line immune assays, PCR and viral isolation tests all can determine the presence of HIV.
Fatigue is the number one symptom of HIV. The symptoms of acute infection are commonly “flu-like” such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, infections, pneumonia, hepatosplenomegaly, weight loss, and neurological symptoms. Attacking the immune system is the method that this virus uses to kill. Attempting to hinder, block or just slow down this process is currently the only method of defense
CD4 is a glycoprotein found on the surface of immune cells such as T helper cells, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. HIV infects cells of the immune system called T lymphocytes (T cells) and macrophages. HIV has an envelope and contains two copies of single-stranded RNA as the genome. Within the viral capsid are important viral enzymes called reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. The HIV virus has a spike protein that is called gp120, and the host cell receptor is CD4+. HIV belongs to a class of viruses called retroviruses. Retroviruses are RNA viruses, and to replicate or reproduce, they must make a DNA copy of their RNA through transcription and translation. It is the DNA genes that allow the
In the 21st century, everyone has heard of the frightening HIV and AIDS virus. The disease we first discovered in 1983 in Arica, when it killed millions of people, especially poor people and travelers. In the developing countries, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are considered a death sentence, the world over, it is a frightening virus that has killed many people.
HIV is a sexually transmitted disease that attacks the body’s immune system by diminishing CD4 cells that help prevent and fight illnesses. HIV is a virus, more specifically a retrovirus that transcribes its RNA into the host cell’s DNA, and is spread by a transfer in bodily fluids namely drug injection and condomless sex. As the disease progresses into acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the virus continues eliminating CD4 cells until the immune system becomes virtually ineffective [5]. Scientists first identified HIV in 1985 in response to the AIDS crisis plaguing the United States [6]. With no cure yet available, those affected with HIV must rely on antiretroviral drug therapy to decrease their chances of developing AIDS [7].
It is important to learn about this topic because HIV can infect anyone. When information about HIV is given, people are more actively aware of the virus and are more cautious towards being protected. HIV is also not curable but it is manageable. In order to cope and live with HIV people require education on the virus and this is considered a medical application.
Problems like HIV must be tackled through knowledge and understanding. When the disease was first detected, it was
Lentiviruses similar to HIV have been found in a variety of primate species, and some of these are associated with a disease process called simian AIDS. Unlike other retroviruses, the primate lentiviruses are not transmitted through the germ line, and no endogenous copies of the virus exist in the genome of susceptible species.[23]
2014). Without treatment, 50% of people infected with this disease die. This could be a
HIV and AIDS have affected millions of people throughout the world. Since 1981, there have been 25 million deaths due to AIDS involving men, women, and children. Presently there are 40 million people living with HIV and AIDS around the world and two million die each year from AIDS related illnesses. The Center for Disease Control estimates that one-third of the one million Americans living with HIV are not aware that they have it. The earliest known case of HIV was in 1959. It was discovered in a blood sample from a man in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Looking further into the genetics of this blood sample researchers suggested that it had originated from a virus going back to the late 1940’s or early 1950’s. In 1999,
Around since the second world war (8), it is a retrovirus that has the ability to transcribe its RNA into a copy of DNA in the host cell (1). It can take up to 6 months for the presence of HIV – specific antibodies to become detectable (2) however, throughout this period the HIV antigen and RNA can be detected in the blood (2).
HIV-1 is the predominant virus worldwide. HIV-2 is concentrated in West Africa, but has been seen in other countries. It is less infectious and progresses slower than HIV-1.
HIV is a human immunodeficiency virus for which the virus is responsible for HIV infections. The virus attacks the immune system making it impossible for the immune system to fight off infections and diseases. HIV is a lentil retrovirus with a genetic complexity not seen previously among any kind of retrovirus. It operates in an inconspicuous nature comprising several parts: HIV destroys immunologically important white blood cells called T-helper cells (CD4+.) It goes inside a host cell DNA, where it can remain stays for extended periods and it inactively infects cells of monocyte lineage that can move throughout the body. It also has an affinity to nerve cells making it neurotropic and its antigenic biological properties are heterogeneous. However, HIV is distinct from acquired immune deficiency syndrome AIDS, which is the full syndrome that consequently damages the immune system. AIDS is a stage when an
The virus which is responsible for the disease of AIDS or the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is named as HIV or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is one of the members of viruses called the retrovirus. Explain this later These viruses are capable of duplicating the RNA into DNA.The virus has two exact copies of single-stranded RNA as the basic genome in the very center of the organism. The genome is surrounded by a membrane that is made of membrane-bound proteins and lipids. One of the membrane-bound proteins is called the T-cells which help the virus becoming physically attached. When it became attached, the virus that is brought inside by the T-cell could result for the internal core to become exposed and damaged. Then the enzyme attached to the RNA, starts to make a base-pair single-strand copy of the RNA into DNA. The single strand of DNA is also duplicated by the same enzyme to form double-stranded DNA. This DNA enters one of the 46 chromosomes within our cells and used it as pattern to produce new virus particles. These new virus particles can be released from the infected cell and infect the adjacent cells.) HIV can hide for a very long period of time in the cells of the body and attacks the main part of the immune system – the T-cells or the CD4 cells. HIV cannot enter unbroken skin. HIV can be transmitted through direct exchange of body fluids. Sexual intercourse is the most common form of HIV transmission. Blood to blood contact, such as sharing needles for
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. A member of a group of viruses called retroviruses, HIV infects human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by those cells to grow and reproduce. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease in which the body's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off certain infections, known as "opportunistic infections," and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system. When a person is infected with HIV, the virus enters the body and lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells. These are the immune cells that normally protect us from disease.
In Sweden, where I live, the disease is not even seen as deadly anymore. Only approximately 6,500 Swedes are today infected
study showed that 20 people died from the disease in Britain in 1 year. Also, every year there are