hiv

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In 1981, was the beginning of what is commonly known now today as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is one of the biggest epidemics of history (1). As of today, there is over 1.1 million people in the United States living with HIV/AIDS (1). Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is a complex immune virus that is capable of destroying ones immune system, leaving there body defenseless. As a result of a deficient immune system there is a whole plethora of comorbidities that accompany the HIV virus. It has been reported the HIV-1 and HIV-2 are the more virulent. With no cure, there are only current medications that help depresses the progression of the virus, and with very little signs and symptoms it is easily transmitted. Even though there are no direct physical therapy interventions for people with HIV, certain physical therapy protocols can help depress the progressive destruction of the virus along with keeping the comorbidities at bay.

As stated before, HIV-1 and HIV-2 is a virus that destroys one’s immune system. HIV (a Lentivirus transmitted by a single strand RNA) like other viruses enter the cells in the body and through a series of complicated metabolic processes, the virus becomes incorporated into cells DNA via reverse transcriptase (2 p177). Once the cell begins to divide, the DNA becomes part of the CD4+ T cells (lymphocyte) (2 p.367). As an end result, there is an idiopathic decline of CD4+ T cells values (3). CD4+ T cells play a crucial role in the immune system by producing antibodies and controlling the activity of CD8+ T cells (suppressor/killer) (4). The CD4+ T cells also play a role in secretion of interleukins or cytokines, which are responsible for the activation of the natural killer cells and macrophages (4). As the HIV progresses, the CD4+ T cell levels become lower leaving the body unable to fight infections, virus, or bacteria. “CD28

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