AIDS

1. Introduction

The last two decades witnessed the emergence of a new deadly disease called AIDS or the Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. It is caused by Human Deficiency Virus (HIV) which infects the blood stream through unprotected sex with an infected person or infected needles. Once this deadly virus enters the blood stream of a man or woman he or she is bound to meet death sooner or later. Such a person becomes a carrier of the disease to the opposite sex through unprotected sex, breast milk, and cervical fluids.

2. Description

Like all viruses, HIV is an ultra-microscopic, smaller than a wavelength of visible light, and much smaller than its disease causing bacteria. Viruses are not technically ‘alive’ since they cannot reproduce on their own. Instead, they borrow the Genetic material of other living cells. The simple and rapid test to detect HIV anti-bodies after onset of symptoms in 31-58 days old cases is the ELISA test.

3. Spread

Retroviruses were once thought to cause diseases only in plants and animals, and therefore, they attracted little attention from researchers. But as AIDS spread, scientists began researching retroviruses in depth, especially HIV. They have mapped out the genes of HIV and discovered which parts of it are constant and which parts are variable. They have researched how the virus replicates inside the body and how different types of cells can act as reservoirs.

4. Causes

AIDS is caused by progressively damaging the T helper lymphocytes (T4) cells or white blood cells. T4 cells are also named as CD4 cells. These cells activate the immune responses of the body. When these cells are infected with the HIV, it results into breakdown of resistance of body to any infection and even a small routine infection may lead to death of a person.

5. Conclusion

There is no authentic drug or vaccine which can completely cure this deadly disease. The only effective cure is prevention. More and more people should be made aware of the preventive measures to be taken. What is necessary is that people should be persuaded to use condoms and disposable syringes, as far as possible. The government should train health workers who would educate the people through media publicity, photo films and animated documentary video films and finger puppets about the possible impact of 21st century’s most horrible disease. The focus should be shifted to prevention of the spread of human deficiency Virus that causes AIDS.