HIV, AIDS, ELISA Test

Question 1

What does HIV stand for?

Answer 1

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Question 2

What does AIDS stand for?

Answer 2

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Question 3

What is the progression after someone is infected?

Answer 3

Infection & destruction of certain immune system blood cells (helper T cells)

            - Multiply:  - Commandeers living cell & turns its "metabolic machinery" from its normal tasks to making new viruses
   - HIV has no DNA, must construct using RNA as a template (opposite of normal cell- RNA=DNA)
   - Then jams its new DNA into the DNA of a cell, converting cell into a living "cell factory."

Question 4

If an individual gets tested for HIV & results are negative, they’ll come back for testing again after 6 months, why?

Answer 4

In testing, they test for specific antibodies that only arise after HIV exposure; some individuals produce these antibodies later than others, testing at 6 months ensures the accuracy of the results.

Question 5

What is Epidemiology?

Answer 5

The study of how diseases spread through the populations.

Question 6

Is HIV still a problem worldwide? In the US? How does it spread?

Answer 6

Yes, yes, and through exchange of bodily fluids.

Question 7

What is the difference between HIV & AIDS?

Answer 7

HIV- Virus that infects an individual and attacks the immune system by attacking “helper T cells.”

AIDS- Is the set of several diseases that have taken advantage of a lower immune system effectiveness.