Final Essay

The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome denotes a spectrum of conditions that are caused by the HIV virus. Infection with this disease does not result in the instant occurrence of the related signs and symptoms. However, an individual is likely to experience flu-like symptoms after he or she is infected with it. Eventually, the person experiences a prolonged period of apparent health with no visible signs. On progression, the infection adversely interferes with the immune system of the individual. The weakening of the body’s defense system increases the risk of recurrence of common infections and opportunistic illnesses that

Patient malnutrition is a very real and serious matter; it can lead to a worsening of the patient's

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].

What is HIV? It is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS if not treated. The Kaiser Family Foundation (2008), states that HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. If left untreated, it reduces the number of T-Cells in the body, making the person more likely to get other infections. Also noted is the fact that HIV destroys so many of these cells that it renders the body helpless in fighting off the infections, while it takes advantage of the weaker immune system. This occurrence is part of the

Description: HIV, also known as human immunodeficiency virus, attacks the immune system allowing the patient's body to not be able to protect itself. “HIV attacks and destroys the infection-fighting CD4 cells of the immune system. The loss of CD4 cells makes it difficult for the body to fight infections and certain cancers. Without treatment, HIV can gradually destroy the immune system and advance to AIDS” (National Health Institute). The disease was believed to originated in the Congo during the 1900’s, but now is present

According to aids.gov,” HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections.” HIV can reduce the amount of CD4 cells and make the person more vulnerable to infections or infection related cancers.

“HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections” (AIDS.Gov, 2016).

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

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is serious public health problem worldwide. HIV weakens a person’s immune system by infecting the body’s T cells. ("About HIV/AIDS | HIV Basics | HIV/AIDS | CDC", 2016) HIV also attacks and kills CD4 white blood cells, which play an important role in protecting the body from infections. ("Immune System 101", 2016)

The protein status of children with protein energy malnutrition (PEM) can be assessed by complete patient history and physical examination in which the skin would appear thinner and dull/discolored, hair growth is restarted and hair may fall and there would be loss of lean body mass over long period of time (Stipanuk and Caudill). The WHO recommends laboratory tests of blood glucose, microscopic blood smears, hemoglobin, urine and stool examination& culture for ova and parasites, serum albumin, and measurement of electrolytes (Lin et al.). The most commonly used method to assess PEM is measurement of plasma

The Human Immune system is made up of a variety of chemical and cellular components that are classified as either innate or adaptive immunity. The cellular immune response to the bubonic plague is carried out through the innate response as the bacterium is able to avoid the adaptive response by infecting macrophages in the host’s body. Similarly, the immune response to HIV infection is not able to reach the adaptive response, as the virus infects the body and destroys vital CD4 cells which in turn damage the immune system itself. Furthermore, the immune system relies heavily on the action of B and T cells, which are antigen-specific cellular immune responses to battle the HIV virus. Though it is unable to completely rid the host of the virus,

c. HIV doesn't kill patient but cell mediated immunity is compromised and patient can die from infection

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a chronic, potentially life threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). (“HIV/AIDS”, 2014). HIV is a virus spread through body fluids that affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. (“About HIV/AIDS,” 2014). Eventually the body 's immune system is worn down and additional sicknesses (opportunistic infections) attack otherwise healthy cells and the body is unable to fight them off. HIV then leads to an AIDS infection. The body 's immune system is able to fight many viruses but this is not the case with AIDS; no cure is in existence at this time.

The year of 1959 saw the first case of the sexually transmitted immune eating disease HIV .Human Immunodeficncy Virus or HIV was tested positive in a man from Congo. HIV is the attack by a disease of the body’s immune system essentially decaying it over time. With the simple symptoms of the common influenza HIV is a silent killer with more than 70 million infections globally and more than 35 million deaths (World Health Organisation, 2015). HIV can be transmitted in many different ways, as well as having multiple symptoms and signs. There is no current cure for HIV or AIDS but there are multiple biological options being made available. HIV destroys the immune system atrociously, allowing for the body to become weak and contract other diseases, most commonly AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) HIV and AIDS is one of the world’s mortiferous disease and has a world of biological beauty and intelligence behind it.

The human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus (retrovirus), which attacks Helper T cells, specifically CD4 lymphocytes causing the progressive deterioration of the immune system.4 Initially when HIV is contracted, there is a period if 2 to 6 weeks called ‘seroconversion’ where HIV antibodies are not detectable. During this period the patient may experience flu-like symptoms due to the initial immune reaction.4 Next, there is a clinical, asymptomatic phase, which can last up to 10 years, and during this time the CD4 count decreases, causing gradual immunodeficiency. This lead to opportunistic infections such as oral candidiasis (thrush).4 Eventually, the AIDS stage of the disease is reached and there are more serious opportunistic infections and malignancies.