Essay/Term paper: Hiv

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Biology

HIV


Like the majority of the American population I have lived in a cloud of
ignorance about the HIV and AIDS crisis. I have never know anyone close to me
that has been infected with either of the two viruses. So when the option to
research something to do with sexuality arouse I felt this would definitely
further my education about a lethal killer that is roaming this earth. Since I
knew next to nothing about this topic I will start from the begging of the
disease and discuss where it's at now.
The HIV and AIDS disease has been around for awhile although no one has
been able to pin point it's origin. There are many theories floating around the
medical world but the most predominant theory "is that the virus first attacked
humans in Central Africa up to 100 years ago."(Kelly 524). It is said that the
virus stayed mainly in this closed society until many years later. Many say the
disease spread when international travel began to increase. The HIV and AIDS
viruses were believed to arrive in the United States sometime during the
nineteen seventies. It was a common disease between gay males and intravenous
drug abusers. Now it is well known that the viruses have been transmitted
through sexually, occasionally through blood and organ transplants.
The acronym HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, where as the
acronym AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. When someone has
contracted the HIV virus in almost all cases it produces the AIDS virus.
Apparently there has been a controversy that HIV really isn't the cause of the
AIDS virus, but careful research has proved without a doubt that it is the cause.
Socially the production of the viruses has caused a lot of hate, prejudice,
racism and above all homophobia.
Many people only talk about the late stages of AIDS but HIV does not
always produce the AIDS virus. If the HIV virus is caught in the early stages
it is possible to get treatment and delay the effects of the AIDS virus. When
an individual contracts HIV they can expect a fever, swollen glands, and
sometimes a rash. As the bodies system tends toward these symptoms the HIV
virus may still be undetectable. This first stage is called primary HIV disease
then moves onto chronic asymptomatic disease. With this stage comes a decline
in the immune cells and often swollen lymph nodes. As time moves on the
depletion of immune cells increases leaving the body open to opportunistic
infection. This is where normal sickness, disease, and other things in the
environment are now able to attack the bodies system. This stage is called the
chronic symptomatic disease. A very noticeable symptom is a thrush, which "is a
yeast infection of the mouth…"(Kelly 532). Also at this stage there can be
infections of the skin and also feelings of fatigue, weight loss, diarrhea, etc.
The actual period of the HIV virus really varies from person to person.
Normally with in a year or two the serve stages of HIV set in. At this point in
the victims life it is said they have progressed into the Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome(AIDS). This status is established when one or more of
diseases have accumulated in the effected victims system. Many victims often
have lesions appear on their skin or they begin to acquire a pneumocystic
pneumonia. The final stage of the virus attacks the nervous system, "damaging
the brain and the spinal cord."(Kelly 532). This can lead to a number of
problems in the body: blindness, depression, loss of body control, loss of
memory. This can often last for months before the victim finally passes away.
Once the HIV virus enters the body it infects the "T" cell the
protectors of the immune system. Once they have attached to the T cell the HIV
molecule sheds it's outer coating and then releases the Viral RNA material into
the T cell. RNA and DNA are basically genetic blueprints for the body. When
the Viral RNA enters the T cell it begins transforming into the more complex
Viral DNA. This occurs because the virus brings along an enzyme with it that
causes the change. Modern medicine uses the drug AZT to put the transformation
on hold. After the Viral RNA changes to Viral DNA it then penetrates the
nucleus of the T cell. It connects with the cell DNA and awaits the opportunity
to produce more Viral RNA. When the victim comes under stress or infection the
cells break and become Viral proteins and begin making more Viral RNA. They are
then re-coated so they can regain entry into other T cells, mass producing the
virus throughout the immune system.
The HIV virus is of the retrovirus type, this is a class of viruses that
reproduces with the aids of an enzyme that it carries with it. This allows the
virus to transform the genetic RNA into DNA in the host cell. Basically when
the virus attacks a cell it tells it's self, to transform from the RNA to the
DNA form and then mass produce the Viral RNA. Unfortunately for modern chemists
and biologists the HIV strand is so complex with so many genetic codes it is
almost impossible to break down. The thing that makes the HIV virus so lethal
is that it attacks directly into the primary defense cells of the immune system
leaving it open for attack.
No one knows exactly how HIV destroys CD4 cells, they are white blood
cells that play an integral part in the bodies immune system. One possibility
is that they directly kill the cell either by causing them to clump together or
by disintegrating them. A more recent theory is that HIV instills a genetic
program inside the CD4 cell that causes the premature death of thousands of
these cells. All cells in the body have a program to die, this helps keep
renewing the body with fresh cells. That process is called apoptosis, and it's
believed that HIV increases the rate of this process without the renewal. HIV
is very good at cloaking it's self in the body. This way the virus can move
through the body almost undetected killing cells along the way. It also makes
it's way to the neuroglial cells in the brain and spine. This is the main
problem defending against HIV, it's is so quick and sneaky that the body can't
find it.
The HIV and AIDS viruses are technically more complex than what I
explained. Now that I talked about what it does to the body I it's very
important to understand how it is transmitted from person to person. It has
been documented that the HIV virus is transmitted by the direct transfer of
bodily fluids. Those fluids could be either blood or sexually transmitted fluid.
Since the virus can stay undetected in a carriers body it is often transmitted
to others without knowledge. Those infected with the HIV virus and have
acquired AIDS are more likely to transmit the disease compared to those without
AIDS. This does not mean that the virus will not be transmitted at all.
The virus normally enters the body through "internal linings of
organs(such as the vagina, rectum, urethra within the penis, or mouth)or through
openings in the skin, such as tiny cuts or open sores."(Kelly 534). It has also
been proven that the virus can be transmitted from a mother to a baby via breast
milk. It has also been shown that HIV can be found in urine, tears, saliva, and
feces but no evidence of transmission through these fluids. There is hard
evidence stating that HIV has been transmitted by the following; sexual
intercourse, either anal or vaginal. Contact with vaginal fluid and semen,
transplanted organs or blood from an infected person. The contact with infected
blood, the sharing syringes by drug users, tattoo needles that are not
sterilized, etc.
There is still no really strong evidence that HIV has been transmitted
through oral sex. Although there has been documented cases in which it has been
transmitted from a male's semen through oral sex. There is far less evidence of
male's or female's contracting the virus through oral sex performed on a female.
It has been said that the virus can not be transmitted trough kissing but
experts can not rule out this possibility. Some have said that prolonged
"French" kissing, open mouth with the switching of saliva, could possibly
transmit the virus. There has been no evidence that casual contact has or ever
will transmit the disease. This is were many social problems come into effect.
Many be tend to isolate people that they know have contracted the virus because
they are ignorant to how the disease is transmitted.
"About 5 percent of individuals infected with HIV have remained
asymptomatic even without any antiviral treatment."(Kelly535). It's not known
what causes this very rare occurrence but many doctors are still researching why
it happens. Can the body reject the HIV and AIDS virus, unfortunately until now
the answer remains no for most. The virus defeats the immune system leaving the
vulnerable to other diseases. Those victims that already have a more defeated
immune system and then contract HIV will be more likely to acquire AIDS at a
much faster rate than normal. Although someone is infected with HIV this does
not necessarily mean they are sentenced to die. Few people that have been
diagnosed seemed to have rid themselves of the deadly virus. Most people tend
to make a drastic change in their lifestyle. A change in eating habits,
vitamins, exercises, and work habits. Some of these victims often live for many
years after they are diagnosed.
Testing for the HIV and AIDS virus is a process that has become a
regular occurrence in most people's lives. When the virus enters the body it
reacts by producing antibodies. Unfortunately these antibody's can go
undetected for sometime leaving people with the false hope that they are HIV
negative. In most people it has been estimated that these antibody's appear
with in six months or longer. This is why the medical profession suggests
regular HIV testing on a six month interval.
There are two tests mainly used to detect the HIV and AIDS virus. The
ELISA and the Western blot. ELISA stands for, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay,
it is an inexpensive test but often gives false positive diagnoses. When a
positive result returns it's often followed by the Western blot. This is a much
more expensive and lengthy test that has to be interpreted by trained
professionals. The major problem with HIV testing is that it often develops
very slowly in the human body, staying virtually undetected for a long time.
This is why so many people can be not carrying the disease without even knowing
it.
There are three possible outcome with the testing technology that is
available now. First, positive conformation that HIV antibodies are present
through out the body. Second, positive conformation that the HIV antibodies are
not present through out the body. Third, the uncertain result that HIV
antibodies are present in the body.