Sadruddin Jiwani
HIV/AIDS
Introduction: HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a disease of the human immune system, which is caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus.
To understand it in a better way, let us break it down:
H - Human - This specific virus can only infect human beings. I - Immunodeficiency - It weakens the immune system of the body by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. A “deficient” immune system cannot protect you. V - Virus - A virus can only reproduce itself by taking over a cell in the body of its host.
HIV is similar to other viruses like the common cold or the "flu". The main difference between the other viruses and HIV is that, the immune system can clear most viruses out of the human body, but it is not case with HIV. The human immune system cannot eradicate it, since the target of this virus is the immune system itself. Researchers are being conducted to figure out the reason for it.
An infected person may experience a brief period of influenza-like disability, during the starting phase, followed by a prolonged period without any syndrome. As the disability progresses, it deteriorates the immune system more and more, making it more prone to get diseases, such as tumors and opportunistic infections which may prove to be fatal to the infected person.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Let us break it down, to understand it in a better way:
A - Acquired - AIDS is not inherited from the ancestors. It is acquired after birth. I - Immune - All the ...
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...ld Health Organization (WHO) report shows that, most people living with HIV or at risk for HIV do not have access to treatment, care and prevention and there is still no cure. In spite of these challenges, there have been successes. Global efforts have been made to address the epidemic, specifically in the last decade. The HIV prevalence rates have been reduced in a small but growing number of countries due to prevention and new HIV infections are believed to be on the decline. In addition to this, the number of people with HIV receiving treatment in resource poor countries has increased 10 times since 2002, nearing an estimated 4 million by 2008.
In U.S, not every healthcare provider is equipped to provide specialty care to people living with HIV. But if a provider cannot provide treatment for your HIV disease, the same person should refer you to someone who can.
2) Moore, J. (2004). The puzzling origins of AIDS: Although no one explanation has been universally accepted, four rival theories provide some important lesson. American Scientist, 92(6), 540-547. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/stable/27858482
Bloodborne pathogens are viruses that deteriorate cells within the body. A virus is a submicroscopic parasitic organism that feeds on cells. Viruses are dependent on cells for their nutrients so the virus survive and reproduce. Every virus consists of either deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA). A virus can contain a strand of one or the other, but not both. This RNA or DNA is contained within a protein shell for protection. A virus is a parasite that is dependent upon cells for metabolic and reproductive requirements. By using the cell the virus makes the host very ill by redirecting cellular activity to make more viruses.
The Herpes virus is actually from a family of viruses that include 8 different virus strains that affect humans. The viruses are known through numbers 1 through 8 or HHV1-HHV8. HHV 1 and 2 are listed above while HHV 3, known as varicella zoster virus, and that causes chickenpox. HHV 3 can also cause a recurring skin infection known as herpes zoster or shingles. HHV 4 is known as the Epstein Barr virus, and is responsible for the easily spread mononucleosis, commonly referred to as “mono”. HHV 5 is known as...
Tuberculosis or TB is an airborn infection caused by inhaled droplets that contain mycobacterium tuberculosis. When infected, the body will initiate a cell-mediated hypersensitivity response which leads to formation of lesion or cavity and positive reaction to tuberculin skin test (Kaufman, 2011). People who have been infected with mycobacteria will have a positive skin test, but only ones who have active TB will show signs and symtoms. Basic signs and symptoms include low grade fever, cough with hemoptysis, and tachypnea. They may also show pleuristic chest pain, dyspnea, progressive weight loss, fatigue and malaise (Porth, 2011).
It is a virus that gradually attacks the immune system, which is our body 's natural defence against illness. If a person becomes infected with HIV, they will find it harder to fight off infections and diseases. AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. AIDS is a syndrome caused by the HIV virus. It is when a person’s immune system is too weak to fight off infections, and develops when the HIV infection is very advanced.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada HIV – the Human Immunodeficiency Virus - is a virus that attacks the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness that leaves people vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers. (Canada 2008) Essentially over time, when your body can no longer battle the virus it progresses into a disease know as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS. The transmition of HIV occurs when a person’s contaminated body fluids enter another individual. Unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral), sharing needles, using unsterilized equipment for body modification, mother to infant transmition, as well as occupational exposure in health care are all ways HIV can be spread. HIV/AIDS as an illness is relatively new. The first reported case of AIDS in the world was in 1981, and a year later in Canada. Scientists all around the world are busy searching for a cure or vaccine to treat the millions of people internationally dying of HIV/AIDS.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), specific group of diseases or conditions that result from suppression of the immune system, related to infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A person infected with HIV gradually loses immune function along with certain immune cells called CD4 T-lymphocytes or CD4 T-cells, causing the infected person to become vulnerable to pneumonia, fungus infections, and other common ailments. With the loss of immune function, a clinical syndrome (a group of various illnesses that together characterize a disease) develops over time and eventually results in death due to opportunistic infections (infections by organisms that do not normally cause disease except in people whose immune systems have been greatly weakened) or cancers.
HIV, also known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells in the body, which makes a person more likely to get infections or infection-related cancers. HIV can also lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), if it is not being treated (aids.gov). There is no effective cure for HIV, however with proper treatment and medical care, HIV can be controlled. In
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retro virus that causes AIDS. HIV is a virus that can only be contracted between human to human. HIV weakens your immune system because this virus is destroying cells that fight diseases and infection in your body. A virus can only produce itself by taking over a cell in the body of its h...
In 1981, was the beginning of what is commonly known now today as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is one of the biggest epidemics of history (1). As of today, there is over 1.1 million people in the United States living with HIV/AIDS (1). Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is a complex immune virus that is capable of destroying ones immune system, leaving there body defenseless. As a result of a deficient immune system there is a whole plethora of comorbidities that accompany the HIV virus. It has been reported the HIV-1 and HIV-2 are the more virulent. With no cure, there are only current medications that help depresses the progression of the virus, and with very little signs and symptoms it is easily transmitted. Even though there are no direct physical therapy interventions for people with HIV, certain physical therapy protocols can help depress the progressive destruction of the virus along with keeping the comorbidities at bay.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS is cause by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) of genus lentivirus which is one part of the retroviridae family. There are two types of HIV which had been identified, HIV-1 and HIV-2. Shape and structure of HIV is roughly spherical with diameter of 1/100000 of a millimeter. HIV had a viral envelope which coats the external surface of the virus.
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus; this virus can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Accoring to Avert, 2.6 million people became infected with HIV in 2009, there are now an estimated 33.3 million people around the world who are living with HIV. HIV is transmitted by the exchange of bodily fluids via sharing contaminated syringes, from infected mother to the child, and sexual contact. Contact with blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, or saliva that is contaminated with HIV, puts an individual at higher risk for contracting HIV. However, HIV cannot be transmitted by touch, coughing, or by bits from insect vectors.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitting infection caused by Treonema pallidum, a gram negative, and anaerobic spirochete bacteria 1. Syphilis is thought to have been brought to Europe by Columbus and his sailors in the 1500’s 1. The disease is characterized by four different stages with varying symptoms depending on the stage that the disease is in1. Often syphilis is presented with another sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia. Public education regarding safe sex is important for the prevention of this sexually transmitted infection.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a slow moving retrovirus that eventually causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome commonly called AIDS. This combo disease known as HIV/AIDS is labeled as a pandemic and has caused controversy throughout the whole world. The disease begins when a person infected passes on the HIV virus through sexual secretions, blood transfusions, and using dirty needles. The virus enters through vaginal or anal openings and through open cuts, once the virus enters a person’s blood stream they are infected with HIV however they may not necessarily have AIDS (WEBMD). Symptoms of HIV include lethargy or sleepiness, weight loss, and flu like symptoms after a while AIDS eventually develops and is the finally or most advanced stage of the disease the symptoms are the same as HIV and also includes vision loss, weight loss, memory loss, and eventually organ failure (AIDS.gov) The first reports of AIDS came from young gay men in New York and San Francisco.
The emergence of HIV/AIDS is viewed globally as one of the most serious health and developmental challenges our society faces today. Being a lentivirus, HIV slowly replicates over time, attacking and wearing down the human immune system subsequently leading to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) at which point the affected individual is exposed to life threatening illnesses and eventual death. Despite the fact that a few instances of this disease have been accounted for in all parts of the world, a high rate of the aforementioned living with HIV are situated in either low or medium wage procuring nations. The Sub-Saharan region Africa is recognized as the geographic region most afflicted by the pandemic. In previous years, people living with HIV or at risk of getting infected did not have enough access to prevention, care and treatment neither were they properly sensitized about the disease. These days, awareness and accessibility to all the mentioned (preventive methods, care etc.) has risen dramatically due to several global responses to the epidemic. An estimated half of newly infected people are among those under age 25(The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic). It hits hard as it has no visible symptoms and can go a long time without being diagnosed until one is tested or before it is too late to manage.