In 2001, 5 million people around the world were infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). By the end of 2001, 3 million people, globally, had died from AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; the end stage of HIV). Current data estimate that 50 million people are suffering from HIV/AIDS. Thus far, approximately 25 million lives have been lost by the effects of the infection. The HIV/AIDS epidemic represents a major problem to the human race. This terminal disease has taken a massive number of lives, and is set to take many, many more. .
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HIV and AIDS are two stages of the same virus. AIDS is the later progressive stage causing death. HIV belongs for a group of viruses known as retroviruses. Retroviruses are a class of enveloped viruses containing a single stranded RNA molecule as the genome. Following infection, the viral genome is reverse transcribed into double stranded DNA, which integrates into the host genome and is expressed as proteins (For more information, see website on retroviruses given in Bibliography). HIV can be transmitted in a number of different ways, eg. via blood, semen, breast milk or vaginal fluids. HIV is most commonly spread by unprotected sexual intercourse with someone who has the virus, sharing needles or syringes with someone who has the virus or receiving blood transfusions donated by an infected person. The virus can also be passed from a woman to her foetus during pregnancy or during birth.
It is impossible to discern whether a person is infected with HIV by appearance alone. Blood tests are the only way in which the presence of HIV can be detected. Blood tests, are, however, only generally carried out on persons thought to be infected (i.e. showing clinical signs assdociated with HIV), or those that might have been put at risk (e.g. drug abusers, rape victims). This is of great concern, since figures suggest that one in three people who are actually infected with HIV don't actually know they have the virus.
HIV/AIDS is transmitted in several ways. ... Generally, HIV is the disease that is transmitted as that is the basic form of AIDS HIV is transmitted in sexual intercourse. ... HIV cannot be transmitted through touching or kissing a HIV+ person. ... Once HIV gets into a cell, it can take over the genetic material of the cell and turn the cell into a factory of HIV producing cells. ... HIV has four stages of severity. ...
HIV discovery allows targeting of vaccines Researchers continue to make new discoveries about HIV everyday. ... A person who has been infected with HIV for many years has several different strains of HIV in their system. ... Where did the HIV virus come from? ... There are several forms of HIV. ... A less common human immunodeficiency virus is HIV-2. ...
HIV and AIDS HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a complex retrovirus that causes AIDS (Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome). ... There are currently two types of HIV: HIV-1 which is the strand of HIV that is chiefly responsible for causing AIDS worldwide and HIV-2 is a strand that is found mostly in West Africa. ... Mothers who are infected with HIV can also transmit HIV by breastfeeding their child. ... People who have the HIV antibodies are called "HIV-Positive." ... A few HIV-positive people stay healthy for many years even without taking anti-HIV medications. ...
HIV is an enveloped human retrovirus. ... HIV is a member of the retrovirus family of which there are two sub-families: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is more prevalent and more pathogenic than HIV-2. ... Researchers claim that chimpanzees were the source for HIV-1 and the simian virus (SIVcpz) is almost identical to HIV-1. ... In addition, HIV can mutate very easily; the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme makes many mistakes while making DNA copies from HIV RNA. ...
The results were in - your child has HIV. ... The risk of perinatal transmission is significantly increased if the mother has advanced HIV disease, increased levels of HIV in her bloodstream, or fewer numbers of the immune system cells, CD4+ T cells, that are the main targets of HIV. ... HIV is often difficult to diagnose in very young children. ... How do you tell a child that they have HIV? ... In conclusion, HIV is real. ...
From that population, 1 out of every 5 people actually knows that they have HIV. ... It is said, "More than 50 percent of new HIV infections occur as a result of the 21 percent of people who have HIV but do not know it" (2012). ... Promoting the use of condoms is the number one way to prevent the spread of HIV. ... Evidence Many studies have been done on HIV prevention. ... They each participated in a demonstrated effective HIV prevention intervention. ...
Circumcision and HIV The parents of a newborn baby boy will make a lot of decisions for their child. ... There are also biological reasons that suggest the foreskin is especially vulnerable to HIV. ... high level of sexually transmitted disease, but a low rate of HIV. ... He also added that Europe has a low rate of circumcision and a low rate of HIV. ... HIV still appears at undesirably high rates in cities where circumcision is widely practiced. ...
The HIV Epidemic The HIV virus, which causes AIDS, was first recognized as a new and distinct clinical entity in 1981. ... HIV like all viruses replicates inside a host cell. ... The HIV DNA is termed a "provirus." ... The third is by neutralizing the antibodies to HIV. ... The management of HIV has given many people a new lease on life. ...
