Added: 12/08/2005 |
HIV as damager of the immune systemHIV or human immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus. As any other virus, HIV must use the cells of another organism in order to survive and develop. HIV uses the cells of the human immune system. HIV originates from the transmission of simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). The viruses were transmitted from chimpanzees (non-human primates) to humans. It is not the first case when animal viruses transmitted to the human. The virus of influenza has been transmitted from animals to the humans. There is no clear fact when SIVs transmitted to the humans. Some scientists say it happened in the 17th century. But it is known that the HIV which causes the current epidemic emerged in the 1930s.
There are three major ways for HIV transmission. The first one is through sexual contact. HIV is transmitted if the sexual contact is unprotected and one of the partners is infected. This is the most frequent way of HIV transmission. The virus enters the body through the lining of vulva, rectum, vagina, penis or mouth.
The second way to transmit HIV is through blood. Blood transfusions are the way through which it is possible to contact infected blood. This way is very frequent with drug users. The transmission happens while sharing the needles which may contain small quantities of infected blood.
And the third way is called vertical transmission. It is the transmission of the virus from the infected mother to the child. Nevertheless, the risk of the infection can be reduced with the help of antiretroviral therapy applied to pregnant women, infected with HIV, or by using caesarian section while delivering the baby.
HIV is a disease that damages the human immune system. The immune system is of paramount importance for the organism. In its importance, the immune system can be compared to the brain or to the heart. The difference of the immune system from these organs is that it has its ?representatives? in all parts of the body and even those circulating in blood. In order to make the immune system work properly, all these components should collaborate with each other in a pretty organized way. T-helper cell or CD4+ cell is considered to play the leading role in the process of this collaborative activity.
So, what should be done to prevent HIV transmission? As the most frequent way of transmission is sexual contact, it is necessary to provide safe sexual relations. Condoms are one of the most efficient methods in prevention HIV transmission. Condoms are regulated by FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Condom producers of the United States test every condom for different defects before packaging it. It is a scientifically proved fact that polyurethane and latex that are used in condoms can greatly reduce the risk of getting HIV during sexual relations.
Scientific studies show that only latex and polyurethane condoms are able to provide the highest level of safety. As for those made of natural membrane (lambskin, for example), they are not that effective and can be used only for contraception purposes, because the natural membranes contain pores that may let the infection through. In case a latex condom is unavailable, the woman may use a woman condom.
One of the most efficient HIV treatment methods is the combination of antiretroviral medication therapies (ART).
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