glog-1315

AIDS

Pathogen Structure

What is AIDS?

Transmission

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Wendi Westmark Period 1B/Vivas

AIDS is caused by the pathogen: human immunodeficiency virus. The HIV pathogen is roughly spherical with a diameter of about 120 nm, making it quite large for a virus. And the surface is covered in 72 spikes. It consists of two copies of positive single-stranded RNA. The capsid is rod shaped and made from protein p24.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is when the body's white blood cells are killed or damaged, thus making the body more prone to infection. And since the body is no longer able to fight against these illnesses, even the slightest sicknes (such as: the common cold), can become fatal.

Some forms of AIDS/HIV transmission are: mother-to-child transmission, occupational exposure (needle-stick injuries), unprotected sexual activity, transfusion of infected blood or blood clotting factors, use of contaminated needles, syringes, or surgical equipment, and intravenous drug use (by means of sharing contaminated needles and/or syringes).

Some symptoms of AIDS are: extreme fatigue, rapid weight loss, appearance of swollen or tender glands in the neck, armpits or groin, frequent shortness of breath, constant diarrhea, high fever or night sweats, scattered purple spots on the surface of the skin, inside the mouth, anus or nasal passages, whitish coating on the tongue, throat or vagina, and mental deterioration.

Anti-HIV medications are used to control the reproduction of the virus and to slow or halt the progression of HIV-related disease (AIDS).

The only way to protect from contracting AIDS sexually is to abstain from sex outside of a faithful relationship with a partner who knows is not infected with the AIDS virus or practice absitinence.