The Effects of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

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Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, compromises an individual’s immune system, allowing for easier destruction of the human body by simple bacteria and viruses, eventually causing Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. It effectively causes the human body to fight itself, and it is therefore one of the most debilitating diseases known to man. 6,300 people worldwide die of HIV/AIDS complications every day. That means that in the 30 minutes it will take to read this paper, 131 humans will have passed away. The disease is hugely prominent in today’s society and will continue to have a major effect on humanity until a cure is hopefully found. This paper will discuss the pathogenicity of one of the worst diseases in today’s medicine as well as possible treatments. People with HIV have an infection that damages their immune system over time and eventually develops into AIDS. AIDS is the final stage of an HIV infection where the immune system is damaged and too weak to fight off ordinary infections. In a normal healthy human, when foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses get into the body, they can cause infections. These events activate the bodies’ defenses. The white blood cells of the immune system are part of the bodies’ defenses. One type of white blood cell, called helper T lymphocytes, or helper T cells strengthen the immune systems response to infection in two ways. First, when helper T cells release chemicals that attract other white blood cells to the site of the infection. These additional white blood cells attack the invading bacteria or virus as well as other infected cells. Second, helper T cells release chemicals, which cause other lymphocytes to multiply. These new cells create markers called antibodies, whi...

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...ations include: reverse transcriptase medications, protease inhibitors, and integrase inhibitors. These medications prevent the creation, assembly, and spread of new viruses. Typically, a doctor will prescribe a combination of these medications, more commonly known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, or HAART. Antiretroviral medication doesn't completely remove HIV form the body, but slows it down enough to enable ones immune system to fight infections. Regular blood tests will let the doctor and patient know how effective the medication therapy is in controlling HIV. If the number of helper T cells is high enough in a patient’s blood sample, then the medication is working.
Treatments for the opportunistic infections of AIDS, are medications specific for each type of infection. For example, a doctor might prescribe an antibiotic for pneumonia or tuberculosis.

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