AIDS

• The term AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome.
• The disease is acquired during life time.
• AIDS is caused by human immune deficiency virus (HIV).
• HIV is a retrovirus having RNA as the genetic material.

Mode of transmission-

• Sexual contact with infected persons.
• Bytransfusion of contaminated blood and blood products.
• By sharinginfected needles as in the case of intravenous drug abusers.
• From infected mother to her child through placenta.

Life cycle of HIV

• After getting into the body the virus enters into macrophages or T-helper cells.
• The viral RNA genome replicated to form viral DNA with the enzyme called reverse transcriptase.
• The viral DNA gets incorporated into the host cell’s DNA and directs the infected cells to produce virus particles and the macrophages continue to produce virus.
• Viruses released from macrophages attack T-helper cells and cause a progressive reduction in the number of T-helper cells and due to which the person starts suffering from infections with several other microorganisms.

Diagnosed by ELISA (enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay).

Treated with anti-retroviral drugs but that is only partially effective.

Prevention of AIDS-

• To follow safe blood transfusion.
• To use disposable needles.
• To distribute free condoms.
• To prevent drug abuse.