Effects of HIV at immune system

HIV is a special type of virus known as a retrovirus. Retroviruses spread by breaking down the DNA in our cells and then reassembling it to make copies of themselves. Retroviruses are challenging to treat as they can rapidly mutate (alter) into new strains of virus.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a sexually transmitted virus that attacks the body's immune system. A healthy immune system provides a natural defence against disease and infection.

HIV infects special cells, called CD4 cells, that are found in the blood and are responsible for fighting infection. After becoming infected, the CD4 cells are destroyed by HIV. Although the body will attempt to produce more CD4 cells, their numbers will eventually decline and the immune system will stop working. This leaves a person who is infected with HIV with a high risk of developing a serious infection or disease, such as cancer.

There is no cure for HIV and no vaccine to stop you from becoming infected. However, since the 1990s, treatments have been developed that enable most people with HIV to stay well and live relatively normal lives.

What is HIV?

HIV 

Causes of HIV

The exact origin of HIV remains unknown, but most scientists agree that a form of the virus, known as SIVcpz (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus from chimps), was (and still is) present in chimpanzees living in parts of Africa.

One theory is that the virus spread to humans that were hunting the chimps, possibly because they came into close contact with the infected chimpanzee's blood. It is thought that for many years the human form of the HIV virus was limited to a remote part of Africa.

However, when new transport links opened up that part of Africa, the virus spread to other parts of Africa, before slowly spreading across the world.

Transmission

HIV is spread by sexual contact with an infected person, by sharing needles (or similars, primarily for drug injection) with someone who is infected, or, less commonly, through transfusions of infected blood or blood clotting factors.

Some people fear that HIV might be transmitted in other ways; however, no scientific evidence to support any of these fears has been found. If HIV were being transmitted through other routes (such as through air, water, or insects), the pattern of reported AIDS cases would be much different from what has been observed. For example, if mosquitoes could transmit HIV infection, many more young children and preadolescents would have been diagnosed with AIDS.

Some things to take into account:

Gloves should be worn during contact with blood or other body fluids that could possibly contain visible blood, such as urine, feces, or vomit.

Cuts, sores, or breaks on both the care giver’s and patient’s exposed skin should be covered with bandages.

Hands and other parts of the body should be washed immediately after contact with blood or other body fluids, and surfaces soiled with blood should be disinfected appropriately.

Practices that increase the likelihood of blood contact, such as sharing of razors and toothbrushes, should be avoided.

Needles and other sharp instruments should be used only when medically necessary and handled according to recommendations for health-care settings. (Do not put caps back on needles by hand or remove needles from syringes. Dispose of needles in puncture-proof containers out of the reach of children and visitors.)

There are no known cases of HIV transmission through tattooing or body piercing. One case of HIV transmission from acupuncture has been documentedbut, HIV could be transmitted if instruments contaminated with blood are not sterilized or disinfected between clients.

Kissing

"Social" kissing is not a risk for transmission of HIV. Because of the potential for contact with blood during "French" or open-mouth kissing, it is recommended against engaging in this activity with a person known to be infected. However, the risk of acquiring HIV during open-mouth kissing is believed to be very low. There is only one case of HIV infection that may be attributed to contact with blood during open-mouth kissing.

Biting

In 1997, CDC published findings from a state health department investigation of an incident that suggested blood-to-blood transmission of HIV by a human bite. Severe trauma with extensive tissue tearing and damage and presence of blood were reported in each of these instances. Biting is not a common way of transmitting HIV. In fact, there are numerous reports of bites that did not result in HIV infection.

Saliva, Tears, and Sweat

HIV has been found in saliva and tears in very low quantities from some AIDS patients. It is important to understand that finding a small amount of HIV in a body fluid does not necessarily mean that HIV can be transmitted by that body fluid. HIV has not been recovered from the sweat of HIV-infected persons. Contact with saliva, tears, or sweat has never been shown to result in transmission of HIV.

Effectiveness of Condoms

Condoms are classified as medical devices and are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Condom manufacturers test each latex condom for defects, including holes, before it is packaged. The proper and consistent use of latex or polyurethane (a type of plastic) condoms when engaging in sexual intercourse--vaginal, anal, or oral--can greatly reduce a person’s risk of acquiring or transmitting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection.

Social implications

Not only the social implications of AIDS are part of the implication of the HIV in an infected person's life, it's also the way they are treated, the way they feel, how they are accepted or rejected by the society by this virus these people have.

Here are some cases of real people infected with the virus.

Clint's history

Cases