Introduction
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the diseases that have become a global menace. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which attacks the human immune system. Consequently, AIDS is associated with general body weakness and the inability to fight other microorganism-causing diseases. Although there is no cure for the conditions, medical technology has led to the development of medicines that can help control its effects on the body. The virus, HIV, allows life-threatening opportunistic conditions that can be fatal if untreated. The majority of HIV cases are sexually transmitted since the virus survives in blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. Therefore, unsafe sex should be avoided to prevent the health, economic, and psychological impacts of AIDS.
Introduction to the HIV
AIDS is a viral disease, and the organism causing it is HIV. The virus belongs to Pararnavirae and the genus Lentivirus, which cause deadly diseases. The diseases caused by viruses in the genus Lentivirus have long incubation periods, making them unnoticeable during the early stages of the attack on the human body system. The virus manifests in two subtypes, HIV-1 and HIV-2, and the severity of infection depends on the type of viral attack (Popović-Djordjević et al., 2022). Although the two subtypes share common similarities, HIV-1 is the most common and accounts for about 95% of global infections (Demoliou et al., 2022). HIV-2 is rare and has a lower transmissibility rate with reduced chances of progression to AIDS (Popović-Djordjević et al., 2022). Consequently, HIV-1 is more dangerous than HIV-2, requiring intense medical attention.
Structure and Cell Type
HIV belongs to the family Retroviridae and, therefore, has a structure that enables the insertion of a Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) copy into that of a host. Laboratory studies have shown that the HIV structure is composed of two Ribonucleic acid (RNA) strands and fifteen viral protein types (Demoliou et al., 2022). Moreover, the virus has a few proteins from the host that it last infected. The RNAs in HIV are positive-sensed and single-stranded, allowing them to code for its nine genes enclosed by a conical capsid. The virus has an envelope protein on its surface, and it is mostly targeted by the medicines that control HIV/AIDS infections. It is crucial to note that HIV viruses are not cells at all, and neither are prokaryotes nor eukaryotes (Villoslada-Blanco et al., 2022). The structural composition of an HIV makes it roughly spherical in shape.
Morphology and Metabolic Requirements
HIV has many morphologies since it belongs to the genus Lentivirus. HIV morphogenesis depends on the subtype of infection. HIV-1 is spherical and has viral glycoprotein spikes that protrude from its envelope (Popović-Djordjević et al., 2022). Additionally, the virion has a cone-shaped core, which is responsible for caging its components: RNA and enzymes. Meanwhile, HIV-2 has a pear-shaped morphology whose envelope contains a lipid bilayer with a transmembrane glycoprotein (Demoliou et al., 2022). Although HIV-1 and HIBV-2 have different infection intensities, they have similar metabolic requirements. The viruses require a high metabolic activity of a cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4+) (Villoslada-Blanco et al., 2022). Therefore, HIV viruses effectively infect and replicate in metabolically highly active CD4+ T cells.
History and Natural Reservoir
Although AIDS was first clinically observed in the U.S., the viral origin is attributed outside the country. HIV-1 and HIBV-2 are believed to have originated from primates in West Africa (Daszak, 2019). The viral transmission to human beings, zoonosis, occurred in the early 20th century. It is believed that HIV-1 originated in southern Cameroon and descended from the simian immunodeficiency virus in chimpanzees (Villoslada-Blanco et al., 2022). Meanwhile, HIV-2 originated in West Africa but from Sooty mangabeys (Villoslada-Blanco et al., 2022). The primary reservoir for HIV viruses is the memory CD4+ T cell compartment. The reserve is mostly found in lymph nodes, the spleen, and the gut mucosa. Consequently, the viruses start attacking the tissues that host their reservoir.
Introduction to the AIDS
Epidemiology in Macon, Georgia
Epidemiology involves the distribution of a disease within a specific population. Studies show that about 1.2 million Americans have HIV/AIDS, but approximately 13% of them are unaware of it (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Macon is a city that is located in central Georgia and has people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Out of the estimated population of 190, 802 only 994, 0.52%, residents in Macon are estimated to have HIV/AIDS (Statimetric, n.d.). The area is less affected by the disease compared to the national average. The major cause of HIV/AIDS in Macon is unprotected sex, with the least cases attributed to mother-child transmission. Therefore, Macon experiences the least economic and social effects associated with AIDS.
Signs and Symptoms
AIDS, as caused by HIV, has various signs and symptoms which can tell one its severity. Therefore, the signs and symptoms vary depending on the stage of infection. Some victims develop a flu-like illness within two to four weeks after HIV enters the body (Villoslada-Blanco et al., 2022). The illness is often referred to as acute HIV infection and has various signs and symptoms. Fever, headache, cough, and sore throat are some of the signs and symptoms of acute HIV infection. Moreover, the infection can be associated with night sweats, joint pains, and body rashes (Daszak, 2019). Although the signs and symptoms during acute HIV infection can be mild and unnoticed, the viral load is often high in the body.
The acute infection proceeds to chronic HIV, a clinical latent infection. During chronic HIV infection, the signs and symptoms are rare and can last for many years if the victim receives antiretroviral therapy (ART) (Daszak, 2019). However, some patients can develop more severe diseases sooner since their immune system is weak. The chronic infection is preceded by a symptomatic HIV one: the virus continues to spread and multiply in the body. During the symptomatic stage, the victims develop chronic and acute infection symptoms: fever, fatigue, oral yeast infection, pneumonia, and shingles (Rubaihayo et al., 2022). The symptomatic stage proceeds to AIDS, which is associated with serious signs and symptoms such as recurring fever, chronic diarrhea, unexplained fatigue, and body weakness. A patient should see a doctor during the initial stages, acute and chronic, to avoid the negatives of full-blown AIDS.
HIV Growth
Various factors promote HIV virion growth and progression within the human body. Unlike other viruses, HIV grows through replication and takes place in seven stages: binding, fusion, reverse transcription, integration, replication, assembly, and budding (Villoslada-Blanco et al., 2022). Therefore, HIV does not reproduce but replicates by using CD4 immune cells (Rubaihayo et al., 2022). In terms of virulence, HIV-1 subtype C is the most virulent. The relationship between HIV and its host, CD4 cells, can be described as parasitic since it kills the cells, leading to weakened body immunity. Since the HIV action mechanism is the destruction of the CD4 T cells, the level of immune activation and the attacked cells’ baseline counts are major virulent factors. Therefore, patients must receive ART, to prevent further replication.
Treatment and Prevention
Timely prevention and treatment of AIDS can help avoid the negatives associated with the disease. HIV/ AIDS prevention mechanisms involve various actions that reduce the chance of its transmission when in contact with infected individuals. Protected sex, through the use of condoms, can help reduce HIV transmission (Rubaihayo et al., 2022). Moreover, scanning of blood before transfusion helps reduce transmission. Furthermore, before having unprotected sex, the pre-exposure prophylaxis medicines Truvada and Descovy can prevent infection.
Treatment of HIV is done after infection but for a limited duration. Post-exposure prophylaxis can be taken within 72 hours of exposure to the virus. Additionally, antiretroviral medicines such as Abacavir, Zidovudine, and Lamivudine can be taken by infected individuals to reduce HIV progression. Infected pregnant women are allowed to take medicines to prevent perinatal transmission. Although HIV medicines exist, they do not cure the disease but reduce its severity. Therefore, prevention is better than cure when it comes to dealing with HIV/AIDS.
Conclusion
HIV is one of the deadliest viruses, causing AIDS and death in most cases. Macon is a city in Georgia and has a low rate of AIDS infection in its population. HIV is believed to have originated in West Africa and is divided into two: HIV-1 and HIV-2. Unlike HIV-2, HIV-1 is more prevalent and serious among the victims. CD4 T cell count in the bloodstream determines the frequency of HIV viral replication. AIDS is associated with signs and symptoms that make the human body vulnerable to other conditions. People must take preventive measures against HIV infection and transmission since there is no cure for AIDS.
References
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