Among various diseases, some of the most concerning ones are emerging and re-emerging ones. The impact is emphasized by their persistence, minimal or complete lack of data about them, and an increase in the number of cases. The following text will review the characteristics of emerging diseases. As an example, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) will be used and thoroughly depicted, including features like pathophysiology and treatment methods.
Emerging infectious diseases can be identified by the following features: prior outbreaks, known diseases that have become more common within the last 20 years and uncontrollably persistent ones (Emerging infectious diseases, n.d.b). Some examples of such problems are HIV, SARS and dengue fever. The spread can be caused by traveling, interacting with wild animals and living in highly populated locations (Emerging infectious diseases, n.d.a). Another reason for the emergence of such problems could be bioterrorism.
As mentioned earlier, the human immunodeficiency virus is a suitable example of an emerging infectious disease. The condition is caused by one or two retroviruses that destroy lymphocytes and damage the immunity system, making other viruses and certain cancers a more plausible threat (Cachay, 2021). HIV can lead to severe issues with the heart, brain, kidneys and gonads, resulting in conditions such as cardiomyopathy and renal insufficiency.
This virus can be transmitted by breastfeeding, through blood transfusions and sexually. Rarely, organ transplantations from positive donors can also lead to acquiring the disease. The condition was discovered in Central Africa as a result of a chimpanzee virus being passed on to humans for the first time (Cachay, 2021). Then, HIV caused an epidemic in the 1970s and received public awareness in 1981. The epidemic is expected to come to an end by 2030.
In the United States, the people affected by the disorder are children at the age of 13 or younger, gay and bisexual men. The condition is especially common among the latter two in black/African American ones. Besides gay and bisexual men, people who receive blood transfusions and heterosexual people are also affected by the virus (Cachay, 2021). Thus, the emergence of the disease is generally defined by socio-economic issues, blood transfusions and sexual intercourse.
HIV attaches to and attacks T cells with the help of chemokine receptors and CD4+ molecules. This results in the virus’ RNA and encoded enzymes entering the infected cell. Viral replication leads to copies of the disease’s RNA, which then results in mutations and newer genotypes of the condition (Cachay, 2021). The severity of HIV copying and other factors then produce new kinds of the virus that cannot be defeated by the person’s immune system and medication.
During the first stage of the virus, it is met with a cellular and humoral response, with the former being caused by the mutation of HIV antigens and the latter being defined by poor moderation of the infection. The disease demonstrates itself through vague symptoms, which complicates diagnosing it. Upon deterioration, said signs become more severe and the risk for defining diseases increases, such as cervical cancer and herpes (Cachay, 2021). HIV can be discovered by assessing the number of CD4 and the virus’ RNA level. If left untreated or undiagnosed, the disease can progress into AIDS.
The virus is treated with anti-retroviral therapy or, if it is futile, by end-of-life care. The main goals of this method are restoring the average levels of CD4 and decreasing the amount of the virus’ RNA. In some extremely rare cases, HIV can be monitored without anti-retroviral therapy. However, it has two risks: the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, futility and interruption (Cachay, 2021). IRIS can be a side effect of the treatment, in spite of the suppression of the virus and can deteriorate comorbid infections. The treatment may be interrupted due to poor tolerance of drug toxicity. Finally, in some cases, the medication can still be futile, with the final stages of HIV leading to complications (hepatitis and liver failure). Death is a rather predictable outcome, which gives patients the opportunity to prepare for it. Fortunately, HIV can be prevented by proper education and practicing safe sex. Thus, there is hope for the decrease in HIV cases.
References
Cachay, E. R. (2021). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection – Infectious diseases – MSD manual professional edition. MSD Manual Professional Edition.
Emerging infectious diseases. (n.d.a). Baylor College of Medicine.
Emerging Infectious Diseases(n.d.b). Hopkins Medicine.