HIV

• What is the difference between being HIV positive and having AIDS?

  HIV positive means having the virus; AIDS is a syndrome.
• What are the learning outcomes related to HIV and AIDS?

  • Structure of HIV in T cells
  • Distinction between HIV positive and AIDS
  • How HIV causes AIDS symptoms
  • Why antibiotics are ineffective against viruses
• What is the diameter of the HIV virus?

  About 10nm
• How does HIV invade T helper cells?

  By binding gp120 to CD4 receptors
• What happens after HIV enters a T helper cell?

  It manufactures DNA from RNA using reverse transcriptase
• What type of virus is HIV?

  Retrovirus
• What is the role of reverse transcriptase in HIV infection?

  It converts viral RNA into DNA
• What happens to T helper cells after HIV replication?

  They are destroyed when new viruses leave
• What does HIV stand for?

  Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• What does AIDS stand for?

  Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
• How is HIV transmitted?

  Through infected blood, semen, and breast milk
• Is there a cure for HIV?

  No, but treatment can control it
• What are common symptoms of HIV infection?

  Flu-like symptoms, sore throat, fever
• What are the four main stages of HIV infection?

  1. Acute HIV syndrome
  2. Asymptomatic or chronic stage
  3. Symptomatic disease
  4. Advanced AIDS
• How does HIV lead to AIDS?

  By destroying T helper cells, weakening immunity
• What causes illness and death in AIDS patients?

  Secondary infections due to weakened immunity
• What factors affect the progression of HIV to AIDS?

  Genetic resistance and medical treatment
• What is the role of drug therapy in HIV treatment?

  It delays the onset of full-blown AIDS
• Why are antibiotics ineffective against HIV?

  HIV is a virus, not a bacterium
• What is the main challenge in developing an HIV vaccine?

  The virus mutates rapidly, changing antigens
• Why is it difficult to produce an effective HIV vaccine?

  By the time it's developed, the virus changes
• Which animals are susceptible to HIV?

  Rhesus macaques and chimpanzees
• What is the goal of current HIV vaccine research?

  To eliminate infected T4 cells and free virus
• How does HIV evade the immune system?

  By mutating and hiding from immune detection
• What is the significance of HIV's RNA structure?

  It lacks a spell-checker, aiding evasion
• Compare HIV/AIDS and TB infections in terms of immune evasion.

  • Both evade the immune system
  • HIV destroys T helper cells
  • TB hides within immune cells
  • Different mechanisms of infection and symptoms
• Describe the symptoms of HIV infection and their consequences.

  • Initial flu-like symptoms
  • Long asymptomatic period
  • Secondary infections lead to complications
  • Can result in death from opportunistic infections