HIV and AIDS

Question 1

What is the pathogen?

Answer 1

Human immunodeficiency

Question 2

Organism

Meaning?

Answer 2

Virus

Is a retrovirus meaning that it’s genetic material is RNA not DNA

Question 3

Site of action

Answer 3

Virus infects and destroys helper T cells of the body immune system which respond to the infection

Hence if the number of these decrease the time he body is unable to fight infection leading to OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS

Also - brain cells and macrophages

Question 4

What is the difference between aids and HIV

Answer 4

Aids is not a disease, it is a collection of these opportunistic diseases associated with immune deficiency caused by HIV infection- hence squired immune defieicney disease

Question 5

Transmission

Answer 5

Semen and vaginal fluid through sexual intercourse

Mother to fetus across placenta or
Through birth milk

Blood donation

Sharing of needles and

Question 6

Global distribution

Answer 6

Sub-Saharan Africa

South east Asia

Question 7

Incubation period

Answer 7

Up to 10 years or more symptoms behind to develop

Question 8

Clinical features

Answer 8

HIV- flu like symptoms

Aids- tuberculosis cancers, dementia, diarrhea

Question 9

Diagnosis

Answer 9

Testing blood

Saliva or urine to see if there are any antibodies produced against HIV

Question 10

Treatment

Answer 10

Treating with drugs that are similar to DNA nucleaotides

• zidovudine bonds to the viral enzyme and reverse the transcription and blocks its action hence stops the relocation of the viral genetic material

Question 11

Preventing

Answer 11

Educate people how to protect and realize how easily it is passed

Condoms, femidoms. Provide these freely as these shall from a barrier against transmission of fluids

Blood donations- donators blood screened for HIV and if present provide treatment to Jill batecteria