Introduction. Hiv Is A Virus That Attacks The Immune System,

Introduction HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, which is our body’s natural defense against illness. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS (or acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the last stage in a progression of diseases resulting from HIV. The diseases include several unusual and severe infections, cancers and debilitating illnesses, resulting in severe weight loss, and diseases affecting the brain. There is no cure for HIV infections or AIDS. The causes of HIV/AIDS You can get HIV from contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. Most people get the virus by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV. The human immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus that causes HIV infection and over time†¦show more content†¦HIV-2 can be detected using the same test as HIV-1. There are 8 known HIV-2 groups, Groups A through H. Only groups A and B are pandemic. Group A is mainly found in West Africa but it has been seen the Europe, Asia, and the United States whereas Group B is limited to West Africa. What are symptoms of HIV/AIDS? Some people may experience a flu-like illness within 2-4 weeks after HIV infection. Some people may not feel sick during this stage. Flu-like symptoms can include fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, sleepiness, swollen lymph nodes, and mouth ulcers. Although each case is different, symptoms between men and women vary. Women with HIV tend to have problems related to reproductive health, including changes to their menstrual cycle or absence of periods. Bacterial and yeast infections may be more common in women who are HIV-positive. Risk of STDs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HPV, are increased in women who are infected. Also, women are more susceptible towards pelvic inflammatory diseases. Men infected with HIV go through three stages-acute illness, asymptomatic period, advanced infection. Acute illness lasts until the body has created antibodies against HIV. After the initial symptoms disappear, HIV may not cause any other symptoms for months or years. Du ring this time, the virus reproduces and begins to weaken your immune system. You won’t feel or look sick, but the virus is still active, and you can easily transmit it toShow MoreRelatedThe Hiv Virus And Then Resources1318 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Æ' Contents 1. Introduction 2. Resources Available 3. Measures which enhance quality of life 4. Effect on beloved ones 5. Two types of support for beloved ones 6. Appendix â€Æ' Introduction This report includes a brief introduction on the HIV virus and then resources that are available to the individuals that have been affected by HIV. It also includes measures that can enhance the quality of life of those affected and the effects this can have on the affected individual’s belovedRead MoreAids: the Silent Killer758 Words   |  4 PagesSilent Killer Introduction AIDS is one of the most commonly known sexually transmitted diseases. The last stages of HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, are what we know as AIDS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV is similar to other viruses like the flu or common cold except the human immune system cannot destroy the virus. The virus can hide in the cells of the body for long periods of time and attacks important parts of the immune system like T-cells or CD4 cells. Once HIV destroys a lotRead MoreMedical Advances Throughout History And History1164 Words   |  5 Pagesconditions that are also chronic, but with no cure available. One such condition is HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus. According to Tortora, HIV is â€Å"the pathogen causing the loss of immune function that selectively infects helper T cells† (545). My goal in this paper is to show the advances modern medicine has achieved in discovering the different ways to combat this disease, whether it is attacking the virus directly or assisting our own body s ability to fight infection. Vaccinations are usuallyRead MoreHuman Immunodeficiency Virus ( Hiv )1325 Words   |  6 PagesImmunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the agent causing AIDS, is arguably the deadliest infectious disease to affect humans. Not only because of the affects it has on the body by the eventual collapse of the immune system, but because it is a master at evading and escaping the immune responses and antiretroviral drugs by constantly mutating and maintaining genetic variation. Vaccines are designed to recognize specific viral antigens which makes it almost impossible to develop one against HIV. Recent studiesRead MoreHIV/AIDS: The Structure and Morphology of Infectious Agent1508 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿HIV/AIDS Introduction HIV remains a world epidemic for all governments, whether super powers or developing nations. It infects and affects all people, generations, age, religion and any other division that exists (CAPAC Recognizes APIA HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 13). The Human Immunodeficiency Virus results into AIDS once fully developed. It currently affects millions of people in the United States, with new infections occurring everyday despite the several measures of sensitization and preventionRead MoreHiv / Aids : A Deadly Disease1474 Words   |  6 PagesName Course Tutor Date HIV/AIDS Introduction Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome, which is popularly known as AIDS is a deadly disease as it attacks and adversely destroys body’s immune system. AIDS is brought about by a virus called Human Immune-Deficiency Virus, better known as HIV. This virus is minute, even invisible to a powerful microscope and can remain in the body for years without showing any visible symptoms. AIDS is the final stage of infection of the virus. It takes a period of aboutRead MoreHiv / Aids : The Philippines And Vietnam1228 Words   |  5 PagesHIV/ AIDS The Philippines and Vietnam Courtney Tester Case Study Research Paper Submitted in partial fulfillment for HLS 450: Global Health I. Introduction In this case study, I will be comparing the two countries Vietnam and the Philippines. I will be studying the rates of HIV/ AIDS and also looking in to what plans are put in place to lower these rates. Vietnam is located in the South East Asian area near the Indochinese Peninsula. (Cima, 1987). Ethnic differences was the settling factorRead MoreReflection Paper on Hiv/Aisd1306 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction to HIV/AIDS The first cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were reported in the United States in the spring of 1981. By 1983 the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, had been isolated. Early in the U.S. HIV/AIDS pandemic, the role of substance abuse in the spread of AIDS was clearly established. Injection drug use (IDU) was identified as a direct route of HIV infection and transmission among injection drug users. The largest group of earlyRead MoreThe Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( Hiv )1531 Words   |  7 PagesThe Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Introduction HIV, also known as the human immunodeficiency virus attacks and destroys the CD4 cells of the immune system. The CD4 are a type of white blood cell that have the role of preventing disease, when the level of these cells reduces due to the HIV virus the ability of the body to fight and prevent disease also reduces; at this stage a person is said to have the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDs). Epidemiology According to the world health organisationRead MoreHiv / Aids ( Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Human Immune Deficiency )1249 Words   |  5 Pagesprovides a brief introduction to the topic of HIV/AIDS, (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Human Immune Deficiency) from its early appearance as a deadly communicable disease that causes a viral infection in humans. During the 1960’s the infection was largely due to unprotected sex; the victims contracted the disease mostly due to unprotected sexual contacts from others who already had the virus. It became an epidemic and even pandemic. Those infected eventually died from HIV/AIDS as it came