HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Virus

HIV is a retrovirus. Retroviruses are any virus containing RNA. When they enter their host cell, retroviruses have an enzyme, RNA reversetranscriptase which makes a strand of DNA equivalent to its RNA code. This viral DNA then attaches to a chromosome of the host cell, forcing it to synthesize many new retroviruses before the cell is killed.

HIV virus cripples immune system so body’s ability to fight off disease is crippled. Macrophages & T cells are destroyed. Ability to make antibodies is reduced.

* People don’t die from HIV directly, but from "harmless" secondary diseases!

* +30,000,000 people infected worldwide

* +16,000 infected each day (mostly 15-24 yrs of age)

AIDS ---- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

A syndrome is a group of symptoms that are found together. Examples of symptoms of AIDS include:

a) low numbers of 1 type of lymphocyte

b) weight loss

c) increase in pathogens surviving in the body which weaken the body (often causing death)

The following usually contain the virus in concentrations high enough for transmission!

a. Infected blood
b. semen
c. vaginal secretions

The following usually contain the virus in too low a concentration for transmission!
d. breast milk
e. saliva
f. tears
g. urine
h. other body secretions

1. Social outcasts- labeling
2. Discrimination- jobs, health care, insurance
3. Healthcare systems can’t cope with # of persons ill w/ HIV.
4. Fear of getting the disease
5. Many $ spent fighting disease or for research, when there are many other needs.
6. Debilitation of young who are needed as workers.

[Pathogens & Disease] [Immune Response]