Research Paper on "AIDS Immunity"

Research Paper 7 pages (2357 words) Sources: 10

[EXCERPT] . . . .

AIDS Immunity:

What is AIDS?

AIDS is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome which is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The Acquired means that someone can get infected with it, Immune Deficiency means that the body's system for fighting diseases is weak and Syndrome stands for a group of health problems which make up a disease. The virus which causes this disease (HIV) is usually fought by the body once someone is infected with it. The body tries to do this by making special molecules, antibodies, to fight the HIV infection. The HIV blood test looks for these antibodies and people who have them in their blood are said to have the infection. Such kind of people with the HIV antibodies are said to be HIV-Positive. However, having HIV disease or being HIV-Positive is not the same as having AIDS ("What is AIDS?" par, 3).

As the HIV disease continues, the immune system is slowly wearied down. At this point, viruses, parasites and bacteria that usually don't cause any problems can make someone very sick if his/her immune system is damaged. The infections that occur as a result of this are called opportunistic infections. We all carry many germs (such bacteria, protozoa, fungi and viruses) in our bodies. While a working immune system controls these germs, they can get out of control when the immune system is weakened by HIV disease or some medications. As earlier mentioned, the infections which take advantage of the weakness in the immune defenses are called opportunistic infections or OI.

Someone can test positive for the Opportunistic Infection though he/she may not have the HIV disease. Opportunistic infections are identified by the testing of blood for antigens (i.e. germ pieces that cause the OI) or for antibodies (i.e. proteins created by the immune system to wrestle the germs). If the antigens are found, this means that the person is infected while if the antibodies are found, then the person has been exposed to the infection ("Opportunistic Infections" par, 2). Opportunistic infections aren't limited to people with HIV infections because those who aren't HIV-infected can develop opportunistic infections if their immune systems are damaged. For example, some cancer patients can develop OIs because many drugs used in cancer treatment suppress the immune system.

On the other hand, HIV infections lead to the development of opportunistic infections by weakening the immune system. Someone may have AIDS if he/she is HIV-infected and develops opportunistic infections. There are twenty-four opportunistic infections which when an HIV-infected person develops, they have AIDS. During the early years of the AIDS epidemic, many sicknesses and deaths caused by OIs were experienced. Fortunately, this trend has been reversed by the introduction antiretroviral therapy (ART). When HIV-infected people started taking strong antiretroviral therapy, few of them got a specific opportunistic infection.

The most common opportunistic infections are Candidiasis (a fungal infection of the mouth, throat or vagina), Cytomegalovirus (a viral infection which causes eyes diseases), Herpes simplex viruses (results in oral or genital herpes), Mycobacterium avum complex (causes recurring fevers, digestion problems and serious weight loss), Pneumocystis pneumonia (causes fatal pneumonia), Toxoplasmosis (a protozoal brain infection) and Tuberculosis (attacks the lungs and can cause meningitis).

Though most of the germs which cause opportunistic infections are common, these infections can be prevented. Those who carry the infections can reduce the risk of new infections by being clean and avoiding the known sources of the germs. These people can also prevent the development of an active disease by taking medications. There are specific drugs or combination of drugs that work best for each opportunistic infection. Strong antiretroviral drugs can allow the recovery of damaged immune systems which helps in fighting the opportunistic infections.

AIDS is a situation that portrays an advanced state of HIV infection (R.N. par, 2). As a result of the immune system damage, the virus has progressed causing loss of white blood cells (CD4 cells) or cancers or infections. These illnesses and infections are AIDS-defining in that they mark the onset of AIDS. However, like with HIV infections, there is no cure for AIDS. Scientists discovered the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in 1985; a discovery that answered the question on what is AIDS. The HIV virus is transmitted from one person to the other as a result of the exchange of body fluids like semen, blood, breast milk and vaginal secretions. The body becomes prone to illnesses and infections because its immune system is damaged as HIV AIDS reproduces. Since the emergence of AIDS, HIV has become more than just a disease because it not only affects the lives of the infected but it also impacts the lives of almost everyone.

Understanding the Immune System:

The immune system is basically a composition of special cells, tissues, organs and proteins which daily defends people against germs and microorganisms. In order to keep people healthy and prevent infections, the immune system attacks organisms and substances which invade the body systems through a series of steps called the immune response (Dowshen par, 2). The cells involved in the immune system are white blood cells or leukocytes, which come in two basic types (phagocytes and lymphocytes).

Due to the fact that leukocytes are produced or stored in many body locations such as thymus, spleen and bone marrow, they are called lymphoid organs. These leukocytes flow through the body between the organs and nodes using lymphatic and blood vessels. As a result of this, the immune system monitors the body for problem causing germs or substances in a coordinated manner.

There are various cells which are considered phagocytes with the most common type being neutrophil that primarily fights bacteria. Lymphocytes (which start in the bone marrow) are also in two types namely B. lymphocytes and T. lymphocytes. These cells either stay in the bone marrow maturing into B cells or they leave for the thymus gland maturing into T cells. Both of these lymphocytes have separate bodily functions with the B. lymphocytes acting as body's military intelligence system by seeking their targets and sending out defenses to lock them. On the other hand, the T. lymphocytes act as the body's soldiers by destroying the invaders which were identified by the B. lymphocytes.

There are three types of immunity which every human being has i.e. innate, adaptive and passive immunity. The innate or natural immunity is one which we are born with and offers a general type of protection. This immunity protects us from many of the germs that affect other species for example the viruses which cause leukemia in cats and distemper in dogs. It also works in the protection of other species for example the HIV / AIDS virus doesn't make cats or dogs sick despite the fact that the virus makes humans ill. This type of immunity also includes the body's external barriers such as the skin and mucous membranes.

Adaptive or active immunity is the second kind of protection which develops throughout a person's life. This immunity involves lymphocytes and grows as people are open to diseases or immunized against diseases. The third kind of immunity which is borrowed from another source and lasts for a short period of time is passive immunity. For example, a baby can be protected against infections in the early years of childhood through the antibodies in the mother's breast.

The Biology of HIV / AIDS:

HIV fits in the class of viruses called retroviruses; a group of viruses that contain ribonucleic acid (RNA) as their genetic material. Once HIV infects a cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase is used to convert the ribonucleic acid into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and then progresses to duplicate itself using the cell's machinery. The HIV virus belongs to a subgroup (within the retrovirus group) called slow viruses or lentiviruses. The lentiviruses are also known as slow viruses because they have a long period of time between infection and the genesis of serious symptoms. As a result of this, many people who are unaware of their HIV infection end up spreading the virus to others ("Biology of HIV" par, 2).

There are other versions of HIV which infect other nonhuman species. These similar versions of HIV include simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in monkeys and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in cats. These animal viruses just like HIV in humans usually infect immune system cells while causing immune deficiency and AIDS-like symptoms. Researchers have discovered imperfect models of the HIV disease process in human beings through studying these animal viruses and their hosts.

HIV and AIDS: The Development Period

The period of time within which the HIV infection can lead to AIDS diagnosis varies person to person and is dependent on many factors such as the person's health status and behaviors. However, it is currently estimated that the average time it takes between a HIV infection and the signs which may lead to an AIDS diagnosis is 8-11 years. With today's medical advancements, there are various medical treatments that can hold back the rate at which HIV infections… READ MORE

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