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HIV Symptoms & Contamination

Since their emergence in 1981, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the resulting acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been blights on society, especially women and children of Africa. Fortunately, this disease is preventable, though it is not yet curable.

  1. The Virus

    • HIV-1 and -2 are retroviruses, meaning that they use an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to integrate viral genes (in RNA form) into the host cell genome (DNA form). Like all viruses, the RNA and enzymes are surrounded by a protein coat.

    AIDS Symptoms

    • The HIV virus targets and destroys T-helper cells of the immune system, meaning that the body is more prone to infection. Weight loss, swollen lymph nodes and night sweats are also common. Death is usually caused by secondary infections, not AIDS itself.

    Transmission Risks

    • HIV is present in body fluids such as blood and semen, and to a lesser extent in saliva and tears. Therefore, transmission occurs through blood transfusions, dirty needles used by drug addicts and sexual intercourse. It can also be passed from mother to child during pregnancy.

    Prevention

    • Avoiding sexual contact with an infected individual and avoiding drug use are two good ways to avoid contracting AIDS. Since the discovery of the disease, blood used for transfusions is screened for the presence of HIV.

    Research

    • Current research is aimed at two glycoproteins critical to the HIV infection process, gp120 and gp41. The first glycoprotein targets the virus to CD4 cells of the immune system and the second helps the virus fuse with the cell.

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