HIV/AIDS

Definition

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, specifically targeting CD4 cells (T cells), which are crucial for immune defense. If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), a condition characterized by a severely weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and certain cancers. The relationship between HIV and disruptions in the immune system highlights how the virus can dismantle the body's ability to fight infections, leading to severe health complications.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
2. An individual can live with HIV for years without showing symptoms, but the virus continues to damage the immune system over time.
3. Without treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS in an average of 10 years, but this varies widely among individuals.
4. People living with HIV who take ART can achieve viral suppression, meaning the virus is undetectable in their blood and they cannot transmit it sexually.
5. Global initiatives have significantly improved access to testing and treatment for HIV, leading to better health outcomes and reduced transmission rates.

Review Questions

• How does HIV specifically disrupt the immune system, and what cells are primarily affected?
  • HIV disrupts the immune system by specifically targeting and infecting CD4 cells, which are essential for coordinating the immune response. As HIV replicates within these cells, it gradually depletes their numbers, leading to a weakened immune system that struggles to fend off infections. This targeted attack makes individuals vulnerable to opportunistic infections that a healthy immune system would normally combat effectively.
• Discuss the role of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in managing HIV and its impact on disease progression.
  • Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is crucial for managing HIV as it helps suppress the virus's replication in the body. By maintaining low levels of HIV, ART allows CD4 cell counts to increase or stabilize, which helps restore some immune function. This treatment not only prevents the progression of HIV to AIDS but also reduces the risk of transmission to others, playing a vital role in public health efforts against the epidemic.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of untreated HIV infection on individual health and public health systems.
  • Untreated HIV infection leads to severe health complications as it progresses to AIDS, drastically increasing an individual's vulnerability to opportunistic infections and certain cancers. This results in higher healthcare costs due to increased hospitalizations and long-term care needs. On a broader scale, untreated infections contribute to public health challenges by facilitating ongoing transmission of the virus within communities, placing additional strain on healthcare resources and necessitating comprehensive prevention strategies.

Related terms

CD4 Cells: A type of white blood cell that plays a significant role in the immune response, targeted and depleted by HIV.

Opportunistic Infections: Infections that occur more frequently and are more severe in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with AIDS.

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): A treatment for HIV that involves taking a combination of HIV medicines daily to control the virus and prevent progression to AIDS.