Immunology-A look at using drugs that treat other conditions to help in the fight against HIV

Abstract

This study explains the historical as well as current information about Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and it also explains that how experts are using drugs that treat other conditions to help in the fight against HIV. In the starting, this study explains that HIV is a retrovirus, meaning that once an individual is infected, the virus begins to take over the cells' genetic material and the cells themselves begin to produce more retrovirus. This process of infection may take many years. This study also discusses that how people are being affected and what kind of drugs are available for their treatment.

Introduction

Immunology is the study of the immune system, the primary defense mechanism of the body (Poku & Oia, 4-9). In humans, the immune system is composed of specific immune cells and produces and utilizes numerous unique, chemical signals. Each component of the immune system works collectively to prevent invasion by foreign substances, or pathogens. Examples of such pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Each utilizes a specific method of transmission such as fecal-oral, airborne, direct inoculation, direct contact, and congenital. To elicit an immune response, these pathogens must not only be foreign to the body, but they must be large enough molecules, chemically complex, and degradable. Still heavily studied area, the human immune system consists of both innate and acquired responses to pathogenic invasion with both types of responses interacting on many complex, biological levels.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus. A retrovirus is a type of virus that has viral RNA in its nucleus instead of DNA. The primary targets of HIV in the human body are T4 or T-helper cells. T4 cells help to organize the immune system's response against a foreign invader (e.g., virus, bacteria, fungus). HIV attaches itself to T4 cells then inserts its genetic material into the cell. Through various chemically initiated changes, the viral RNA becomes viral DNA and makes its way into the nucleus of the T4 cell. The T4 cell becomes an HIV-producing factory. Eventually, the infected T4 cells die, and their numbers decrease, which leads to a weakening of the immune system. When a person's T4 cell count drops below 200, which is roughly 70% immune damage, they are diagnosed with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is the more common of the two types and is more easily transmitted. HIV is found in all body fluids (Poku & Oia, 7-13). However, the quantity of HIV in bodily fluids varies, with blood, semen, and vaginal fluids having the highest concentration of viral particles. Unsafe sexual practices, injection drug use, and transfusions are the main causes of infection. Most people exposed to HIV test positive 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure. Some people changing from HIV negative to HIV positive (called seroconversion) experience viremia or severe flu-like symptoms.

Importance and significance

This study can help researchers in conducting ...