HIV- THE BIOMEDICAL STORY. Contributed by @Hokpulor.

Due to the socio-economic burden on this disease, I decided to carry out a little enlightenment.

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Associated Definitions

• HIV
  The acronym for Human Immunodeficiency Virus

• AIDS
  The acronym for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

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The Virus.
Former names of the virus include:

• Human T cell lymphotrophic virus (HTLV-III)
• Lymphadenopathy associated virus (LAV)
• AIDS associated retrovirus (ARV)

HIV is an enveloped virus of the lentivirus subfamily of retroviruses. It has Icosahedral (20 sided) shape. Being a retrovirus, it transcribe RNA to DNA. HIV is double stranded with the two viral strands of RNA found in a core known as capsid surrounded by protein outer coat. The outer envelope contains a lipid matrix within which specific viral glycoproteins are imbedded.
These knob-like structures responsible for binding to target cell.

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TYPES OF THE VIRUS

There are two types of HIV; HIV-1 and HIV-2.

• HIV-1.- More common worldwide. |Mother to child transmission occurs more in of HIV-1 than HIV-2
• HIV-2.- Found in West Africa, Mozambique, and Angola. |is less easily transmitted. |is less pathogenic.
  |Duration of HIV-2 infection is shorter

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Methods of transmission

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• Sexual transmission, contact with body fluids
• Exposure to infected blood or blood products.
• Use of contaminated clotting factors by hemophiliacs.
• Sharing contaminated needles (IV drug users).
• Transplantation of infected tissues or organs.
• Mother to fetus, perinatal transmission variable, dependent on viral load and mother’s CD 4 count.

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Note: HIV primarily infects human cells that have CD4+ cell-surface receptor molecules, using the receptors to gain entry.

REVISED WHO CLINICAL STAGING OF HIV/AIDS FOR ADULTS & ADOLESCENT

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LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF HIV INFECTION
ENZYME LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY
WESTERN BLOT

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PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• A
  Abstinence from all HIV related risky behaviors (such as sexual intercourse, sharing of IV needles, body piercing, or tattooing using non sterile needles, etc) is the only 100% effective way to prevent transmission of HIV.
• B
  Be faithful to your partner
• C
  Make use of a condom
• D
  Drug therapy after being diagnosed

Other precautions are ;
Universal Precautions (all body fluids are treated as if they are infectious)
Avoidance of Alcohol/drug use
Use Negotiation and Communication
Resisting negative peer pressure

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