Human+immunodeficiency+virus+(HIV)+and+Acquired+immune+deficiency+syndrome+(AIDS)

__**Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) **__


 * Root cause: **

From an infected person/s passing the virus to an unaffected person/s. The virus is spread via blood, vaginal and seminal fluid. Actions that cause transmission primarily are having sex, sharing needles, mothers can pass the virus to their offspring through breastfeeding, and/or blood transplants (Anonymous. 2012b).




 * Affected Organs/Cells: **

The virus affects CD4 cells (T-cells) which are main cells of the immune system. The virus will basically enter the CD4 cells and travels to the nucleus; the CD4 cell does not recognize the HIV virus as a threat. The CD4 cells will now make HIV parts like the core proteins and release them into the cystoplasm to be made into viral RNA and sent to the golgi body as seen in the above image (Anonymous. 2012b.). The golgi body will create viral proteins which will complete the virus. The new viruses will now bud from the CD4 cells which destroys the CD4 cell.


 * Historical Background: **

The most accepted theory of HIV AIDS origins is that it is a descendant of the SIV which is found in monkeys (Anonymous. 2012c). This virus can pass from animals to humans which is known as zoonosis. SIV could have transmitted from monkeys in the African bush when hunters were hunting for monkeys. If the hunter were to kill a monkey that is infected and then came into contact with its blood the virus has an increased opportunity to cross species. And because the virus multiplies rapidly, chances of a mutation that is successful in infecting humans is high. The first case found in a human was in 1959 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Anonymous. 2012c).


 * Common Symptoms: **

Many people do not notice any symptoms when they are first infected. Early symptoms are flu like. For example they may experience a fever, headache, fatigue and enlarged lymph nodes (Anonymous. 2012b.). Major symptoms do not occur for years after being infected. By this time a significant amount of their immune system is harmed which means the body can no longer fight off infections. Once the levels of CD4 cells are low enough the person is said to have AIDS and is susceptible to opportunistic infections like pneumonia, yeast infections and lymphoma (Anonymous. 2012b). The weakened immune system is what will cause severe illness and death.


 * Standard Treatments: **

Standard treatments are taking several drugs called highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). These do not necessarily kill the virus but they slow down their replication because the drugs are able to target certain virus strains and kill them but the ones that survive continue to replicate. These drugs are reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors.


 * Current Research: **

Current research is experimenting with women in resource poor countries to see if they can plash heat breast milk to inactivate HIV so it won’t be transmitted to their new borns (Anonymous . 2012a). Researchers found that mothers in sub Saharan African could successfully follow a protocol for plash heating breast milk to reduce transmission of HIV. The technique retains the milk’s nutrition and infection fighting properties. The problem with this technique is whether or not women will be willing and/or able to successfully use this technique.


 * References: **

Anonymous. 2012a. Women in resource-poor countries can plash-heat breast milk to inactivate HIV. [|www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases.244952.php]. Anonymous. 2012b. HIV/AIDS. [|www.emedicinehealth.com/hibaids/page9_em.htm] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Anonymous. 2012c. Where did HIV come from? www.infoplease.com/cig/dangerous-diseases-epidemics/hiv-origins.html