What is HIV/AID

What is HIV/AIDS

The human immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus (A viruses that replicates using the process of reverse transcriptase)  it is the virus responsible for HIV. HIV is a very simple virus. It has only nine genes, the way it causes illness and the way it affects the body is complex.
 The virus attacked the immune system, which is the body’s natural defense system. HIV specifically attacks the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. 
There are currently no cures for HIV but it can be managed by taking antiretroviral drugs and the person will still live a normal healthy life.

The last stage of HIV infection is AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) however it takes a number of years up to 12 years before HIV developed to AIDS. 

Individuals with AIDS have a low number of CD4+ cells and are very vulnerable to infection and this is a deadly situation.

Basic parts of the HIV virus (from the inside out)

• RNA, which contains all of its genetic information
• A key enzyme it uses to replicate itself: reverse transcriptase
• Binding protein on the outside, which allows it to bind to human cells and cause infection

How HIV Enters the Human Cell

HIV virus binds to certain of the body's immune cells via a specific primary "receptor" on the target cell's surface called the CD4 receptor. CD4 is a specific type of white cell. It is called that because it has a very high number of CD4 receptors. It is a major target of HIV; however, a number of other immune cells (e.g., macrophages, dendritic cells, certain T lymphocytes) also have CD4 receptors and can be targets of HIV. The measures of CD4 is one major way to monitor HIV progressions.

There are two types of HIV

• HIV-1, is responsible for almost all cases of AIDS worldwide

• HIV-2

Global statistics on HIV/AIDS

• The majority of people living with HIV are in low and middle income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

• 1.8 million children are living with HIV most of which are infected by their mother during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding

• 36.7 million people worldwide are currently living with HIV/AIDS

• About 2.1 million individuals worldwide became newly infected with HIV in 2015.  This includes 150,000 children (<15 years). Most of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa

• Currently only 60% of people with HIV know their status. The remaining 40% (over 14 million people) still need to access HIV testing services

• As of June 2016, 18.2 million people living with HIV were accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) globally, up from 15.8 million in June 2015, 7.5 million in 2010, and less than one million in 2000

Global HIV/AIDS Prebalance by regions and countries

There are four important attributes of HIV:

1. Fragility: Given its simplicity and dependence on the human host's cellular machinery, the virus is extremely fragile. It cannot survive on its own and can only be transmitted in ways that give it direct access to cells, especially immune cells.
2. High production and turnover rate: In a typical HIV-infected person, about 10 billion HIV viruses may be produced and destroyed each day.
3. High mutation rate: A high number of mutations occur in the process of HIV replication. The high production rate increases the chances of mutation. Such mutations can sometimes confer resistance to antiretroviral drugs.
4. Latent reservoir: HIV "hides" within the DNA of a small proportion of infected cells in something of a dormant state for long periods of time. Thus, drugs and the immune system cannot typically get at all the virus, and currently cannot "cure" HIV.

Why is the high mutation rate of HIV significant?

The high mutation rate of HIV is one of the reasons for typically using three antiretroval drugs at a time: It is much less likely that any particular mutation will confer resistance to all three drugs at the 

How Is HIV Transmitted from Mother to Child?

The majority of children born to HIV-infected mothers are uninfected. However, HIV-positive women can transmit HIV to their infants during pregnancy, childbirth, or while breastfeeding.

During pregnancy, although the exact mechanism for transmission of HIV inside the uterus is obscure, we know that the virus may cross the placenta to infect the unborn fetus.

During childbirth, the HIV virus may be transmitted across the placenta (as during the antenatal period). And, the virus can be transmitted at any time the newborn has contact with the blood or bodily fluid of the HIV-infectedmother. This contact may occur as the baby descends the birth canal.

During the postpartum period, the HIV virus may be transmitted from mother to baby via the breastmilk.

 HIV infections can be contacted through

• Sexual intercourse with an infected person (Unprotected sex)

• Infected blood

• Infected body fluid (Semen, or vaginal fluids)

• Infected sharp objects (Blade, drug needles, knife)

• Unsterilized utensils

• From mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding

How HIV is not spread

HIV can not be transmitted through the following 

• Air, water, food, toilet seats, or insects
• Shaking hands, hugging, or "social" kissing
• Saliva, tears, or sweat

Signs and Symptoms of HIV

1. Early stage

• Rapid weight loss

• Fever

• Profuse night sweats

• Extreme and unexplained tiredness

• Prolong swelling of lymph glands (armpits, groin and neck)

• Skin rashes and sore

• Infections

• Menstrual changes

• STIs

• pneumonia

2. Advance stage

• Diarrhea

• Weight loss

• Joint pain

• Trouble swallowing

• Chronic cough

• Muscle aches

• Shortness of breath

3. Later Stages

• Coma

• Mental confusion

• Short-term memory loss

HIV/AIDS is preventable.  Avoid contact with infected person, materials and person. 
Use protection during sex. Protect yourself, choose abstinence or choose condom

The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested.

Different Types of HIV/AIDS Drugs and Treatment


What is HIV Treatment Failure
HIV treatment failure is when the antiretroviral (ARV) drugs given to patients are unable to control the disease.

Types of HIV Treatment FailureFailure 
1.  Clinical Failure
2.  Immunological Failure 
3.  Virological Failure