The AIDS virus infects the cells that make up the human immune system, as a result of which the cells can no longer protect the body from diseases. Scientists have long been trying to develop a universal cure for this primitive but insidious microorganism called HIV.
Main dangers of HIV infection
This virus belongs to the group of lentiviruses, a subgroup of retroviruses, which are characterized by a slow effect on the human body. In most cases, the main signs of this group of diseases may appear when it is too late to take decisive action.
Studying its structure, the AIDS virus can be characterized as a substance from a double fatty layer, on the upper part of which there are glycoprotein substances that look like mushrooms, inside of which there is a paired RNA chain. Due to this structure, it freely penetrates into human blood cells. However, despite the fact that the structureThe blood cell is a much more complex structure than the HIV virus itself, it freely takes over the cell and completely destroys it.
Studying the virus
Because the AIDS virus infects anyone regardless of age or gender, the only salvation from it is that since infection occurs only in certain situations, it can be prevented. In addition, even in the event that a situation arises when HIV nevertheless enters the body, modern drugs can prevent its reproduction in a timely manner and, as a result, prevent the destruction of the human immune system.
Despite the fact that scientists have long established which cells the AIDS virus infects, some aspects of HIV infection still remain unexplored. For example, exactly how cells are destroyed, for what reason the majority of people with this infection continue to look absolutely he althy for quite a long period of time. These questions remain relevant, even though HIV is one of the most studied viruses in the history of mankind.
Penetration and fixation of the virus
After entering the body, the AIDS virus infects blood cells belonging to the group of T-lymphocytes, on the surface of which there are special molecules of CD-4 and other cells containing this receptor. It is noteworthy that for rooting and further spread throughout the body, the virus does not need anyadditional incentives, for reproduction it needs only the cell of an infected person.
In fact, the genetic material does not just enter the cell, its shell completely merges with it, after which the virus begins to gradually progress.
Drugs to slow down the development of the virus
Today, scientists continue to develop a vaccine that should prevent the invasion of the HIV virus into the cell, so that the prevention of AIDS can become standard procedure. Research in this area is based on the fact that in most viruses that exist on the planet, genetic information is encoded in the form of DNA and, with careful study, the probability of creating an effective vaccine is very high. However, HIV is encoded in RNA, due to which it is rearranged in human blood, translating its RNA into the DNA of an infected person using reverse transcriptase, thanks to this reincarnation, the cell is easily exposed to the HIV virus.
The AIDS virus infects the cell of an infected person within the first 12 hours from the time of infection, while it begins to perceive the viral DNA as its own, completely obeying the commands laid down in it. At this stage of infection, the virus can be prevented by taking antiretroviral drugs that are part of the group of reverse transcriptase inhibitors.
Submitting to the commands given by the infected cell, the components of the virus start the program of reproduction of various componentsvirus, which later in the same cell go through the stage of rough "assembly" into a new full-fledged virus. Although the newly formed virus cannot immediately infect the next cell, by splitting off from the DNA cell that produced it, it binds to another enzyme of the virus called proteases. It completely forms a new viral cell, after which it acquires the ability to infect, and the AIDS virus infects the next cell.
Reservoir
Considering in detail the question of how long the AIDS virus lives, one should pay attention to the fact that some cells with a long lifespan, for example, macrophages and monocytes, can carry a large amount of the virus at once and continue to function without dying.
In fact, they are full-fledged reservoirs for the HIV virus. It is for this reason that even with the timely intake of an antiviral drug, there is no guarantee that AIDS has not taken root in such a cell, where, although it will not be active, it will become absolutely invulnerable to the effects of drugs. Consequently, the virus will not be completely eliminated from the body, and it can manifest itself at any time.
Development of the virus since infection
The virus in each person progresses at an individual rate. Some patients get sick during the first few years after infection, and the rest after more than 10-12 years, it all depends on additional factors. The rate of development of the virus can be affected by:
- Individual features of the body.
- Nervous system.
- Living conditions.
In most cases, infection occurs as a result of the blood of an infected person entering the bloodstream of an uninfected person - this can occur with multiple injections with a disposable syringe or as a result of a transfusion of infected blood. HIV infection is also common through unprotected intercourse or through the mouth.
What happens as a result of infection
The period of active manifestation of antibodies to HIV is up to three months, after which, using a blood test for HIV infection, an immunologist or venereologist can detect them in the blood. Even with a positive result, the analysis must be repeated, only after that the person is informed about the disease.
Despite the fact that AIDS prevention could significantly reduce the prevalence of the disease, the possibility of infection exists for any person. At the same time, the cells of the human immune system, having detected the AIDS virus, act in the usual way for them. They capture the virus at the site of detection and transfer it directly to the lymph nodes, where the complete destruction of the virus must take place. However, once the virus reaches its target, it begins to rapidly progress in the body.
Most infected people are exposed to an acute form of infection - viremia, as a result of which the protective functions of the body are immediately reduced by half, and the person begins to feel the same symptoms as with SARS. After a few monthsfighting the infection, the AIDS virus dies, but only partially. Most elements of HIV still have time to take root in the cells. After that, the level of T-4 lymphocytes almost completely restores the previous indicators. In most cases, a person after suffering an acute form of the virus does not even suspect that HIV infection is rapidly progressing in his body, because the virus does not have any obvious manifestations.
Preventive measures
Because no effective cure for HIV infection has yet been developed, and existing drugs only slow down the development of the virus, AIDS prevention is the only viable method to avoid infection.
Most people believe that they can get the AIDS virus even through household contact with an infected person, but this is not entirely true. You can quite calmly exist next to an infected person, but you should know that there are a number of diseases that significantly increase the risk of infection. For example, sexually transmitted diseases or anal intercourse. Be sure to follow the rules of personal safety in the intimate area and lead a he althy lifestyle to avoid infection with a dangerous virus such as AIDS.
