Study of pathogenicity, mode of transmission and control measures of
AIDS
Introduction
The causative organism of AIDS is HIV. HIV stands for Human
Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV infects and destroys cells of the immune system,
making it hard to fight off other diseases. When HIV has severely weakened the
immune system, it can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
AIDS is the final and most serious stage of an HIV infection. People with
AIDS have very low counts of certain white blood cells and severely damaged
immune systems. They may have additional illnesses that indicate that they
have progressed to AIDS.
Without treatment, HIV infections progress to AIDS in about 10 years.
Pathogenicity
1. The HIV infects the macrophages in the blood. Once they infect, the viral
RNA enters the host cell and produces DNA with the help of reverse
transcription.
2. This viral DNA then integrates into the host genome and produces
multiple RNA copies by the process of transcription. These RNAs then
form multiple copies of the virus and continue the infection in the same
way.
3. At the same time, HIV also enters the T lymphocytes and continues the
same set of events as it does in macrophages. This leads to a decrease in
the number of helper T lymphocytes. Thus, the immunity of the body is
considerably compromised.
4. The immunity is lowered to such an extent that the infected person suffers
from even minor infections, which is one of AIDS’ characteristic
symptoms. Other symptoms include bouts of fever, diarrhoea and
significant weight loss.
Mode of transmission
The HIV infection spreads through the following ways -
1. Unprotected sexual interaction with an already infected person.
2. Reusing needles used by an infected person.
3. From an infected mother to the baby through the placenta.
4. Blood transfusion from an infected person.
AIDS
Introduction
The causative organism of AIDS is HIV. HIV stands for Human
Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV infects and destroys cells of the immune system,
making it hard to fight off other diseases. When HIV has severely weakened the
immune system, it can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
AIDS is the final and most serious stage of an HIV infection. People with
AIDS have very low counts of certain white blood cells and severely damaged
immune systems. They may have additional illnesses that indicate that they
have progressed to AIDS.
Without treatment, HIV infections progress to AIDS in about 10 years.
Pathogenicity
1. The HIV infects the macrophages in the blood. Once they infect, the viral
RNA enters the host cell and produces DNA with the help of reverse
transcription.
2. This viral DNA then integrates into the host genome and produces
multiple RNA copies by the process of transcription. These RNAs then
form multiple copies of the virus and continue the infection in the same
way.
3. At the same time, HIV also enters the T lymphocytes and continues the
same set of events as it does in macrophages. This leads to a decrease in
the number of helper T lymphocytes. Thus, the immunity of the body is
considerably compromised.
4. The immunity is lowered to such an extent that the infected person suffers
from even minor infections, which is one of AIDS’ characteristic
symptoms. Other symptoms include bouts of fever, diarrhoea and
significant weight loss.
Mode of transmission
The HIV infection spreads through the following ways -
1. Unprotected sexual interaction with an already infected person.
2. Reusing needles used by an infected person.
3. From an infected mother to the baby through the placenta.
4. Blood transfusion from an infected person.
