HIV/AIDS and Its Impact

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to HIV/AIDS and its impact, focusing on the immune responses, the virus's replication process, and its implications on health.

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the virus that causes AIDS. Simple virus made of 15 proteins and RNA

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, the condition caused by HIV.

Reverse Transcriptase

An enzyme that converts RNA to DNA, crucial in HIV replication and rapid mutation. (makes hella mistakes lol)

Integrase

An enzyme that integrates viral cDNA into the host's DNA.

Protease

An enzyme that cuts proteins into functional units, essential for viral maturation.

Helper T cells (TH) & Dendritic cells

Immune cells targeted by HIV, cripples the body’s immune response.

CD4 Receptors

Proteins on the surface of immune cells that HIV binds to in order to enter the cells.

Trojan Horse Hypothesis

Theory that HIV is carried into lymph nodes (high concentration of T-cells) by dendritic cells (antigen presenters), targeting helper T cells (HIV’s fav food).

Time from infection to symptom presentation

Virtually asymptomatic until 6-7 years after infection. Near total loss of T-cells at 7-8 years

Control: Targeting HIV Life Cycle

1. Protease inhibitors prevent completion of viral replication

2. Reverse transcriptase inhibitors (AZT first drug 1987)

3. Integrase inhibitors to prevent viral DNA from joining host cell DNA

4. Fusion inhibitors prevent HIV from entering cells

5. CCR5 Antagonist

6. Fixed-Dose Combination tablets

7. PrEP Pre exposure prophylaxis prevents infection (Truvada)

8. Fine scale mapping improves treatment targeting

ART

Anti Retroviral Therapy

WHO’s Goals

95% of infected people will know they carry HIV

95% of diagnosed people will receive sustained ART

95% of those receiving ART will reach undetectable levels of HIV (suppressed viral load)

Enzymes

Integrase: integrates viral DNA into host cell DNA

Reverse transcriptase: RNA → DNA

Protase: cuts up protein into functional units

GP120

Protein that recognizes the host cell

How to get treatment to the most people according to Lynch et al.

1) decentralize free ART services to local health clinics

community-based programs with peer/self-management (ex. community ART groups in rural Mozambique)

2) simplify clinic appointments

3) provide multiple-month routine ART refills

4) mobile clinics for mobile populations

5) HIV “passport” with treatment records

6) Improved viral load monitoring

7) BETTER POLICIES

8) compulsory licenses to override patents and make HIV drugs less expensive

9) MORE FUNDING