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AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a deadly virus that is spreading
internationally around the world. This deadly virus is known to slowly kill
everyone who has it. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the cause of AIDS.
HIV/AIDS is spread through sexual intercourse, blood, and breast milk.
AIDS has been around for about 26 years. It
was first discovered on June 5, 1981 when people
started showing symptoms but first recognized on
December 1, 1981 when scientist realized the
virus and named it. It had killed more than 25
million people in 1981. There are 2 species of
HIV which infect humans: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1
is easily transmitted and is the cause of the
majority of HIV infections around the world.
HIV-2 is less common and is confined mostly in
West Africa.
AIDS starts in the human body when someone becomes infected with HIV through
sex, blood, or mother to child transmission. The virus then infects an immune
cell where it replicates itself and spreads throughout the body. During the
first few months the quantity of the virus is high making it more likely to
infect someone else. The quantity then drops as the body fights hard against it.
Infections differ from each other as the virus kills the immune system, which
can make persistent or severe symptoms appear either a few months or several
years later.
There are many treatments available to help cope with the symptoms or slow
down the spread of the virus but, so far, no cure. The newest breakthrough in
the battle against HIV/AIDS is a protein called Langerin that eats up viruses
and invading HIV. Langerin is able to hunt viruses from the surrounding
environment to prevent infections. This discovery was reported in the March 4
online issue of Natural Medicine. This new discovery could revolutionize
HIV treatment.
HIV is continuing to grow around the world as more and more people are
becoming infected. The new discovery on Langerin, found naturally in all tissues
outside the body, might be able to stop HIV/AIDS which could be the breakthrough
we need to prevent Generation Y from suffering from the spread of HIV/AIDS. As
people, we need to work together on treating this deadly virus in order to
create a better future for Generation Y.
Health 24
http://www.health24.com/news/HIV_AIDS/1-920,39560.asp
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV
You And Aids
http://www.youandaids.org/About%20HIVAIDS/Symptoms/index.asp |
