Abstract

HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION AND ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME

Vishal S. Waghmode*, Narayan Zade, Ankush Sarowar, Amol Wawre, Shaikh Yasmin, Pratiksha Sinare

ABSTRACT

HIV/AIDS has always been one of the most thoroughly global of diseases. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lent virus that causes HIV infection and AIDS. AIDS is a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening infections and cancers to thrive. Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells. HIV infects vital cells in the human immune system such as helper CD4 T cells, macrophages. HIV infection leads to low levels of T cells through a number of mechanisms, including pyroptosis of infected T cells. The symptoms of AIDS are primarily the result of conditions that do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems. Most of these conditions are opportunistic infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that are normally controlled by the elements of the immune system that HIV damages. When condoms are used consistently by a couple in which one person is infected, the rate of HIV infection is less than 1% per year. There is some evidence to suggest that female condoms may provide an equivalent level of protection.

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