Human Immunodeficiency Virus Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome HIV and AIDS

How does HIV invade and take over cells? Glycoproteins on the outside of the virus bind with helper T (TH) lymphocytes (sometimes called WBC) Viral proteins and RNA are released into the host cell Reverse transcriptase transcribes the RNA into DNA twice The new viral DNA is incorporated into the host’s genome (called a provirus) The new genome provides all instructions needed to make complete new viruses Offspring viruses cause host cells to lyse go on to invade new cells

HIV is a retrovirus What does that mean?

HIV and your immune system HIV invades TH lymphocytes, cells which normally assist in the destruction of viruses HIV mutates at a high rate during replication Altered proteins on the surface of the virus can make it unrecognizable and allow it to evade destruction and mutate further The viral DNA “hides” in the host DNA where antiviral drugs cannot destroy it The invasion of TH cells weakens the immune system making the victim susceptible to infections and cancers

Transmission Fluid to fluid contact Needle sharing Pregnant or nursing mother to infant

Statistics 0. 6% of the Worlds population is infected Since 1981, the virus has killed over 25 million people (one third from sub-Saharan Africa) 10. 8% of South Africans are HIV positive On average about 22% of infected people get treatment worldwide The U. S. spends about $6 billion/year on prevention (not treatment) In 2007, 74% of the HIV cases were male, 26% female More than 70% of infections due to unprotected sex, less than 20% drug use in all adults/adolescents

Treatments HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) Inhibit reverse transcriptase Inhibit protease (the proteins found on the outside of the virus) Intregrase inhibitors (inhibit the binding of HIV to TH cells)