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How is HIV caused?
How is HIV caused? What are the symptoms and treatment methods?
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HIV – it stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a virus belonging to the class of retro viruses. These contain 2 strands of single stranded RNA as genetic mateiral. HIV is the cause of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). It attacks the immunological machinery of the host’s cell by attacking the T<sub>H </sub>( that is, T – helper cells) and the CD<sub>4 </sub>machinery of the cell.
When a person gets infected with HIV, this virus enters into the host’s cell and takes over its machinery. It starts to replicate in the cell, forming a number of viruses and releasing them in the blood stream that in turn attacks different cells and the cycle goes on. In turn it destroys the T helper cells and thus the body becomes immunologically weak and prone to mildest form of infections and diseases.
HIV can be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. However, it cannot get transferred by talking to an infected person or simply by living them or using their towels. However, it can get transmitted by using same syringes, blood transfusion, even by sharing razors with an infected person can lead to infection transmission.
This can be tested using ELISA (enzyme linked immune sorbent assay) tests.
Symptoms –
Fever,
Chills,
Rash,
Night
sweats,
Muscle
aches,
Sore
throat,
Fatigue,
Swollen
lymph nodes, and
Mouth
ulcers.These were some simple infections. A person on entering stage witnesses acute infections. HIV / AIDS cannot be completely treated. However, medications ca help the patient live longer, else the person won’t even survive for a decade.