HIV

Understanding HIV: A Journey into the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Imagine a silent invader, invisible yet powerful, capable of dismantling your body’s defenses. That’s what HIV does to you.

The Basics of HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a lentivirus that targets the human immune system, specifically helper T cells (CD4+ T cells), macrophages, and dendritic cells. These cells are crucial in fighting off infections, but once they fall, your body becomes vulnerable to opportunistic diseases.

How HIV Infects You

Can you imagine a virus as sneaky as a thief, slipping into your bloodstream through contact with infected bodily fluids? That’s how HIV enters the human body.

HIV can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, blood transfusions, and from mother to child during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The average survival time after infection is 9-11 years without treatment, but this can vary widely depending on access to medical care.

The Structure of HIV

Picture a tiny fortress with layers of protection. That’s the structure of HIV.

The virus has a single-stranded RNA genome that is converted into double-stranded DNA through reverse transcription, which is then integrated into cellular DNA by integrase. There are two types: HIV-1 and HIV-2, with HIV-1 being more virulent.

How HIV Replicates

Imagine a virus as a master of disguise, constantly changing to evade the immune system. That’s how HIV replicates.

The RNA genome consists of at least seven structural landmarks and nine genes encoding 19 proteins. The three genes gag, pol, and env contain information needed to make the structural proteins for new virus particles.

Transmission Routes

Can you think of how HIV can spread within your body?

HIV spreads through cell-free spread (chance encounter) and cell-to-cell spread (direct transmission). Cell-to-cell spread is more efficient due to factors such as virological synapse, close apposition of cells, and clustering of HIV entry receptors.

Genetic Variability

HIV’s genetic variability is like a chameleon, constantly changing its appearance.

The virus has high genetic variability due to fast replication cycle, high mutation rate, and recombinogenic properties of reverse transcriptase. This leads to the generation of many variants in a single infected patient.

Types of HIV

HIV-1 and HIV-2 are like two different flavors of ice cream, each with its own unique characteristics.

HIV-1 is divided into three groups: M, N, and O, while HIV-2’s closest relative is SIVsm, a strain of SIV found in sooty mangabeys.

Diagnosis and Testing

How do you know if you have HIV?

HIV testing begins with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Non-reactive results are considered negative unless new exposure has occurred. Reactive ELISA results are retested, and specimens that react again are confirmed using a more specific test such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or western blot.

Management of HIV/AIDS

Managing HIV is like fighting a never-ending battle against an invisible enemy.

The management of HIV/AIDS typically involves multiple antiretroviral drugs, with a goal of achieving an undetectable viral load (<50 copies/ml) to prevent transmission through sexual contact.

A Historical Perspective

When was the first case of AIDS observed?

HIV was first clinically observed in 1981, initially affecting gay men and injection drug users. The earliest retrospectively described case is believed to have been in Norway beginning in 1966.

The Discovery of HIV

Who discovered the AIDS virus?

In 1983, American Robert Gallo and French investigators Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier independently declared that a novel retrovirus may have been infecting AIDS patients. However, it was later revealed that Gallo’s virus was actually sent to him from France.

The Origin of HIV

Where did HIV come from?

HIV-1 and HIV-2 are believed to have originated in non-human primates in West-central Africa, and are thought to have transferred to humans through zoonosis. The exact timing is unclear but genetic studies suggest it may have occurred as early as 1910.

Understanding the journey of HIV is crucial in our fight against this silent invader. By staying informed and educated, we can better support those affected by HIV and work towards a future where this virus no longer poses such a significant threat.