AIDS SG Micro

What causes AIDS

• HIV (humans immunodeficiency virus)

• Beware of HIV/AIDS denialists

  • Disease process is still not completly understood

  • social issues realted to the disease

  • Almost 4 decades and LOTS of scientfic research that HIV is the cause of AIDS

List some characteristics (special enzyme) and some information about the structure of the virus.

HIV has a lipid envelope, two copies of RNA, and the enzyme reverse transcriptase, which allows it to convert RNA into DNA for replication.

List and give some characteristics (originated from) of the two types of the virus)

HIV-1 and HIV-2, both originating from simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIV) in primates, with distinct genetic differences and varying global prevalence.

How is the virus transmitted

HIV is primarily transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Transmission can occur via unprotected sex, sharing needles, or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.

List some information about the virus life cycle (steps it takes to make more viruses)

• Virsus attaches to CD4 receptors of cells- healper T cell (mainly) macrophages, dendritic cells

• Capsid enters cell by fusion uncoating of capsid

• Viral RNA reverse transcribed into DNA

• Viral DNA intefrated tinto host chromosomal DNA

• DNA may produce newe HIV whihci bud from cell

  • or may not produce new HIV

• Latent viruses in some cells

What are some preventions/ treatment methidsd used for the disease? A vaccine?

• No vaccine

• education-promote abstinence, discourage promiscuity, promote correct condom use, no drug use(key)

• Drugs to manage symptoms

  • Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)

  • Involves using a combination of drugs

  • RT inhibitors

Stages of infection

• Most common misconception is that HIV infections is synonymous with AIDS

  • AIDS on;y denotes the final stage of long infections

• CDC lists 3 clinicla categories (A,B,C)

• Categorizes progression based on T cell population

• Categories/ progression figure

Transmission

• Most common

  • Sex (anal, vaginal, oral) with infected person

  • Sharing needles or injections equipment with infected

  • HIV infected women to babies before or during birth and breastfeeding

• No evidence

  • Kissing,shaking hands with infected person

  • From infected person sneezing

  • from mosquitois (not having enough virus to pass)

  • Toilet seats (same with STI)