Explain how to prevent HIV and AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) strikes the defense mechanism of the human body (immune system – T lymphocytes). This virus belongs to the genus - lentivirus and family - Retroviridae.
If a person who has acquired the virus is not timely screened and treated for the infection, it will lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a chronic and severe infection caused by HIV. AIDS causes significant damage to the immune system, by attacking the CD4+ cells (T-cells). This makes the person incompetent to fight-off common infections, which otherwise could be very easily eradicated from the body.
A person suffering from AIDS might develop severe secondary complications (such as organ failure) from common infections (such as pneumonia and the common cold) and is prone to develop cancer because of a very low CD4+ count (below 200) accredited to the delayed screening of HIV.
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