2.6.4 AIDS

AIDS

Immediately after infection with HIV people often suffer mild flu-like symptoms
These symptoms pass and for a period of time infected people might not know they are infected
After several months or years, the viral DNA replicated by the HIV virus particles becomes active
They gradually destroy and reduce the number of helper T cells present in a host
This is detrimental as helper T cells play an important role in the specific immune response
- They stimulate B cells, the production of antibodies and increased rates of phagocytosis
When an individual can no longer produce antibodies they are said to have advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
As they can no longer produce antibodies against pathogens they are immuno-comprised and unable to fight off infections
They begin to suffer from diseases that would usually cause very minor issues in healthy individuals
- These diseases are described as opportunistic
- Tuberculosis (TB) is a common example
It is these opportunistic diseases that cause an individual with advanced AIDS to die

As of yet, there is no cure for AIDS
There are many drugs that are very effective at slowing the spread of the virus within the body
When provided with adequate medical care individuals with HIV have the same life expectancy as those without the virus

Antibiotics are commonly used to kill bacteria or limit bacterial growth
The mechanism by which they work can vary. Some interfere with the metabolism of bacterial cells while others prevent protein synthesis
Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses as they are non-living
Viruses are particles and not cells
- They have no metabolism or cell structure for antibiotics to act on and disrupt

Try not to confuse the terms HIV and AIDS. Many people often use them interchangeably when they actually mean different things.