Measles and HIV

Question 1

Viruses

Answer 1

Viruses are an example of a pathogen
Pathogens are micro organisms that cause infectious disease
Viruses cannot be killed by antibiotics

Question 2

Measles

Answer 2

Measles is a highly infectious disease
The first symptom of measles is often a fever
After 3 days the patient develops a red skin rash
The virus is spread in droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes
The virus then passes into a different person when these droplets are inhaled
In some cases complications can develop causing difficulties to the breathing system and the brain, in some cases it can be fatal
Most children are vaccinated against measles when they are young

Question 3

HIV

Answer 3

The first symptom of HIV is a flu - like illness
The virus is attacking the cells of the patients immune system
At some point the patients immune system becomes so badly damaged that it cannot fight off other infections other people can easily deal with
The damaged immune system is also unable to fight off cancer cells
When the immune system reaches this highly damaged stage, the patient can easily contract other diseases such as tuberculosis
The patient may also develop cancer
At this point the patient is described as having late stage HIV or AIDS, the disease is fatal at this stage

Question 4

How can people with HIV be treated

Answer 4

With antiretroviral drugs which stops the virus from multiplying inside the patient so the virus does not damage the patients immune system
Patients who take antiretroviral drugs do not go on to develop AIDS and they can lead a normal life expectancy
Antiretroviral drugs are not a cure for HIV, they must be taken for life
HIV is transmitted through the exchange of fluids between humans