Introduction
AIDS is a disease caused by a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which is transported by the body fluids like semen and saliva. HIV infects specific body cells called CD4cells. The infected cells replicate to produce more infected cells that weaken the immune systems of the body.
When these infected cells replicate, they cause Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This disease has become a major problem in the world because hitherto the research on the cure of this disease has not beard any fruit. The rate of infection of this disease increases every year in all the countries.
For instance, the number of newly infected people in US totals to 50, 000 people annually (FirlÄ…g-Burkacka et al. 12). Currently, many scientists are in science laboratories carrying out various researches on this pandemic. Some of the current researches on this disease include treatment of the disease, the content of Aids protein and the preventive modes. This essay discusses the current and future research on AIDS and the findings of the researches.
The current research on AIDS
Prevention varies by gender
The spread of this disease differs from one gender to another. Predictions on the calculated model generated by NIH suggests that the females should use antiretroviral drugs on the daily basis to reduce the transmission chances of the disease through anal sex. Scientists have come up with their findings on this unique trend of the disease because the virus behaves differently on the DNA structure of the sex.
The expression of tenofovir and emtricitable components in the drug reduces the rate of replication of the virus. Moreover, clinical trial in women showed that the presence of these components in the vaginal fluids of the female reduce the exposition of the virus to the men (Igbokwe and Abubakar 420). For this reason, females should take the dose of these drugs more than thrice a week.
Protein content of the virus
Most of the scientists are currently finding out the contents of the protein of HIV virus that makes it overcome the strength of the drugs. The nature of protein enables HIV to replicate in the presence of drugs. Some of the researches have shown the parts in the structure of DNA that the virus attacks (FirlÄ…g-Burkacka et al. 12). The virus weakens the body immune systems because it has no protein. The presence of the protein in the virus could make it possible to determine the antibody that neutralizes the virus.
The mode of transmission
To reduce the number of infected individuals in the world, the scientists study the major modes of transmission of this virus. Initially, few modes of transmission were identified but the increasing spread of this disease has raised alarms. According to Igbokwe and Abubakar (421), there could be other hidden mode of transmission of this disease. Some of the modes of transmission that have been identified through scientific research include sharing of sharp objects like needles with an infected person, mother-to-child transmission at the birth and through unprotected sexual intercourse with the infected person. In addition, other modes of transmission include kissing the wounds of the infected person and body contacts during accidents.
The research has also abolished some of the methods assumed to transmit this disease. Such methods include sharing of drinking utensils, hand shaking, infection from animals and kissing lips without wounds. The research by Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that more than 57000 people are infected through the above named mode of transmission in US (Mwamwenda 424). Equally, the report by World Health Organization (WHO) shows that 33300000 people lives with AIDS in the world.
Treatment
So far, scientists have not come up with the ultimate cure of this disease. However, they are coming up with certain medication that enables the HIV victims to live longer with the disease. For instance, the scientists have developed antiretroviral drugs that reduce the rate of virus replication (FirlÄ…g-Burkacka et al. 15).
Future research on AIDS
Despite the increasing number of infected people in the world, the battle to reduce or stop the spread of this disease is still on. Future research on this disease will make the scientists understand the trend of this virus. The expected research on this disease is the identification of the location of the virus within the body cells and the characteristics of the virus that make it survive within the host.
Secondly, the scientists are yet to determine how the virus interrelates with the old aged and the best mechanisms for the pathogenesis of comorbid disorders and study on the comparative role of the immune systems and immune reactions to infection on the comorbidities (Mwamwenda 420). The scientists are also expected to find out how other sexually transmitted Infections (STIs) and micro-biome affect the transmission, multiplication, and propagation of HIV.
Finally, the scientists are yet to use the modern technologies like bio-imaging and computational biology to analyze the initial behaviors of the virus like transmission and replication of HIV (Mwamwenda 421). The analysis of HIV will help the scientists to come up with the appropriate mechanisms to control the virus.
Voice on the research
In review, the world has not been successful in the war to kick this disease out of the globe. The findings of the current research on this disease are inadequate to eradicate this disease in the world. The disease is continuing to kill more and more people. All the nations need to provide financial and moral support to facilitate the future research on AIDS. Out of the total deaths in the world, AIDS causes a half of these. Therefore, despite the efforts made by the scientists in the laboratories to reduce the impact of this disease, it remains a pandemic in the globe.
Works Cited
FirlÄ…g-Burkacka, Ewa, Ewa Siwak, Jadwiga Gizinska, Pawel Swiecki, Iwona Cielniak, and Andrzej Horban. “Changes in the Trends of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic, Based on Surveillance Data of Warsaw Cohort.” HIV & AIDS Review 8.1 (2009): 12-15. Print.
Igbokwe, Nicholas, and Abba Abubakar. “Effects of 12 Weeks Cycle Exercise Programme on CD4 Count and Viral Load in HIV Sero-positive Patients in Kano, Nigeria.” Journal of AIDS and HIV Research 5.11 (2013): 415-21. Print.
Mwamwenda, Tuntufye Selemani. “Reception and Treatment of HIV/AIDS Children in School.” Journal of AIDS and HIV Research 5.11 (2013): 422-25. Print.