HIV and AIDS
AIDS, a now widespread and almost invariably deadly disease (acronym for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), is caused by the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) virus. The HIV virus causes its damage to the body by deceiving Helper T white blood cells into taking the virus in through its cell membrane and then changing the virus’ RNA to DNA using an enzyme called Reverse Transcriptase. The cell then uses this DNA to create numerous copies of the HIV virus, not aware of what it is doing. The cell continues making copies of the virus until it is filled and bursts sending out a huge number of new HIV viruses into the bloodstream to infect the rest of the body.
Immediately after contracting the HIV virus, a general sickness sets in, the symptoms are similar to those of influenza, such as stiffness, joint pains, fever, nausea, etc. these symptoms usually disappear completely after 2 to 3 weeks following their appearance and the contraction of the disease, often leading the victim to believe he/she is healthy. Although the initial symptoms disappear, the HIV virus has not yet begun to do its real damage to the immune system. The virus incubates for up to 10 years, multiplying and weakening the immune system. After its decade of apparent dormancy, HIV advances to AIDS, and begins to infect and rupture the immune system’s Helper T white blood cells, weakening the body’s ability to fight off infections and leaving it vulnerable to opportunistic infections (infections that would normally be fought off easily). HIV itself is not usually the fatal disease, but causes other diseases to set in, killing the victim.
AIDS and HIV are relatively new diseases, appearing first in the early 1980’s. The virus originated in Los Angeles, California. Most HIV victims at the time were homosexual men, though merely a coincidence, homosexuals were in no way more susceptible, and intravenous drug users who used old or dirty needles. Sharing the needles transferred blood carrying HIV from person to person. HIV is now pandemic, infecting millions of people of all sexualities and non drug users as well as drug abusers throughout the world. Though it was first recognized in California, the majority of HIV victims are in developing countries, many in Africa.