HIV

• Core contains genetic material (RNA), proteins and reverse transcriptae
• Reverse transcriptae are important enzymes that are essential for viral reproduction
• The capsid is the outer protein coat
• The envelope is an extra outer layer made out of membrane taken from the host cell
• Protein attachments stick out of the envelope and help the virus attach to the host's T-helper cells
• HIV infects and kills T cells
• Without helper T cells, the immune system cannot produce an effective response to infections
• T cells are important in activating phagocytes, cytotoxin T cells and B cells. Without them, a person can become ill with simple infections
• People infected with HIV develop AIDS when T cell numbers are really low
• HIV doesn't have its own ribosomes and enzymes for replication so it uses the host's
• The length of time between someone being infected with HIV and developing AIDS varies (usually 10 years)
• Length of time people survive AIDS varies based on age, strain of virus, existing infections, access to healthcare
• There is no cure but antiviral drugs slow progression
• Best way to control the spread is through education and prevention
• Main symptoms:

  • fever
  • weight loss
  • Pharyngitis
  • Nausea
  • Rash
• Indirect ELISA tests can be used to see if HIV virus antibodies are present