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HIV Virus and AIDS |
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In our previous column we have mentioned the fact
that the deaths caused by infection makes up the 25% of the deaths in
total. While dealing with this subject we have also touched upon the
reasons of infections that are infectious germs, viruses, parasites and
fungus. We have also looked upon the differences between germs and viruses
that mostly cause infection. It was emphasized in our last column that
germs which are bigger in size can also multiply by themselves whereas
viruses can only live and grow within cells and for this reason they need
healthy cells to survive. After these reminders we can slowly start
focusing on this week’s subject that is the HIV virus which causes AIDS.
Just like we always do we are going to first look at the history of our
subject as well as some statistics. It is widely known that HIV virus emerged from United States of America, Haiti and Africa between the years of 1977-1978. But it is only in 1982 that the disease
was given its name AIDS, 25 years after the virus was discovered and it
was in 1984 that this virus was finally called HIV. HIV: Human
Immune-Deficiency Virus The
reason why it was called like this was because the virus weakens the body
which no longer can fight against microbes, bacteria and virus in other
words the immune system doesn’t function properly due to this virus. The
reason why it is categorized as virus is because it needs human cells to
multiply since it cannot multiply by itself just like other viruses. For
this very reason just like other viruses which can not survive outside of
body and diseases they do not infect others by being in the same place nor
by using the same items. It can only infect through blood transfer or
sexual intercourse. Since this
virus can be received from another person the word
“Acquired” and since it causes many other illnesses the word
“Syndrome” are the key words to describe this illness that is: Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS. In
summary we can say that due to HIV virus immune system doesn’t work as
it should be and because of this the body becomes weak against all sorts
of microbes and viruses. This illness is called AIDS. According to
the statistics of World Health Organization HIV virus and AIDS has been
seen in 36.1 million people since 2000, 5.3 million people just had HIV
infection and 3 million of these people have lost their lives. These
horrifying results also show us clearly that between the years 2000-2020
68 million people will have died because of AIDS. We mentioned
that viruses could multiply only within living cells. Most of the time
they stay passive in the cells and start being active later on. This
process can take years and years and that’s why a person who has AIDS
can have the symptoms after 8-11
years. This process can change according to person’s health condition,
life standards and habits. As we all
know there is unfortunately no cure for AIDS. However, there are some
medicines to slow down the process of deficiency of the immune system and
other diseases that are related to AIDS. Like in every other illness early
diagnosis is of great importance and can be beneficial for the treatment.
The medicines taken in the early stages of the illness can be effective. New
Inventions! Here’s a new research I recently heard about. I happened to be listening
to an announcement on BBC Radio-4 the day I was writing this article.
According to the news, British scientists are busy with a research with
the support from the government. This research is being done on a medicine
which will restrict the HIV virus to transfer during the sexual
intercourse. This medicine which will be tested in different clinics in 5
different countries of Africa, will be used by women before sex and it
will attack the virus before it reaches the weak cells. If all the tests
give positive feedbacks this new medicine is expected to save 3 million
new AIDS cases. I have many more to share with you about this important subject which I
will provide next week. Therefore, I hope to meet you and provide you
further details about this issue next week. |