HIV PANDEMIC

HIV PANDEMIC

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus that causes HIV infection which was first discovered in 1984 and over time leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Without treatment, the average survival time after infection with HIV is estimated to be 9 to 11 years, depending on the HIV subtype. In most cases, HIV is a sexually transmitted infection and occurs by contact with or transfer of blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. Non sexual transmission occur from an infected mother to her infant during pregnancy, during childbirth by exposure to her blood or vaginal fluids, and through breast milk. Within these body fluid, HIV is present as both free virus particle and virus within infected immune cells.
There are two main types of HIV strains; HIV-1 and HIV-2. Worldwide, the predominant, earliest and most commonly referred to virus is HIV-1. HIV-1 accounts for around 95% of all infection worldwide.
The relatively uncommon HIV-2 virus is concentrated in West Africa and is becoming more common, although numbers that are still relatively small. It is less infectious and progresses more slowly than HIV-1, resulting in fewer deaths.HIV-1 progresses more rapidly to AIDS.
HIV infects cells of the human immune system, particularly a kind of white blood cell called CD4 T-cell. This cell helps in identifying and destroying harmful material in the body, including bacteria, viruses and parasites. Over time, HIV infection destroys the CD4 T-cells, leading to a weakened immune system certain kind of infections, severe illness, and death. The infection is often called ‘opportunistic infections’(OLS) because they are rare or mild in healthy people but can take advantage of the opportunity provided by the HIV-weakened immune system and can be life threatening. The HIV virus can also damage tissue directly, Causing neurologic disease, heart disease, and other problems.
The CD4 T-cell count is a measure of the number of CD4 cells in one microliter of blood. People with HIV and their health care providers use the CD4 count to monitor the infection over time.
ERIC MUCHIRI MBATIA

DPM-01-0128/2018

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