HIV

Question 1

What is the basic structure of a retrovirus.

Answer 1

A retrovirus is a single stranded RNA virus.

Question 2

How does a retrovirus work?

Answer 2

It replicates inside a host cell using a viral enzyme to produce its own DNA. This enzyme is reverse transcriptase. It converts single stranded RNA into double stranded DNA. The double stranded DNA is now incorporated into the hosts’ DNA.

Question 3

What are some of the examples of retroviruses?

Answer 3

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

HTLV1 (Human T Lymphotropic Virus 1)

Question 4

What does HIV stand for?

Answer 4

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Question 5

What are the groups most affected by HIV?

Answer 5

Women in poverty, low status women, and gender based violence. Young women and adolescent girls. Sex workers. Men who have sex with men (MSM). Transgender women. People who inject drugs. Children and orphans.

Question 6

What is the most predominant subtype in South Africa?

Answer 6

Subtype C

HIV-1; group M; Subtype C.