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The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [8] [9] [10] is a retrovirus [11] that attacks the immune system.It is a preventable disease. [5] It can be managed with treatment and become a manageable chronic health condition. [5]
Two types of HIV have been characterized: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is the virus that was initially discovered and termed both lymphadenopathy associated virus (LAV) and human T-lymphotropic virus 3 (HTLV-III). HIV-1 is more virulent and more infective than HIV-2, [20] and is the cause of the majority of HIV infections globally. The lower ...
HIV-1 is the more commonly associated with AIDS in the US and worldwide, HIV-2 is more rare, and typically restricted to areas in western Africa and southern Asia. HIV-2 is so uncommon that “HIV” almost always refers to HIV-1. Alright HIV targets CD4+ cells, meaning cells that have this specific molecule called CD4 on their membrane.
Although most cases of HIV/AIDS were discovered in gay men, on January 7, 1983, the CDC reported cases of AIDS in female sexual partners of males with AIDS. [42] In 1984, scientists identified the virus that causes AIDS, which was first named after the T-cells affected by the strain and is now called HIV or human immunodeficiency virus. [43]
Why this is important comes from how multi-dimensional the disease’s impact is. The word “impact” itself has been a word very commonly seen in articles and studies on the HIV/AIDS virus/disease, but what it really means relates to how impact is not a cause and effect action, but the “reaction or response” it brings out. [113]
HIV-1 is the most common and most pathogenic strain of the virus. As of 2022, approximately 1.3 million such infections occur annually. [4] [5] Scientists divide HIV-1 into a major group (group M) and two or more minor groups, namely groups N, O and possibly a group P.
In 2016, about 36.7 million people were living with HIV, and it resulted in 1 million deaths. [11] There were 300,000 fewer new HIV cases in 2016 than in 2015. [ 12 ] Most of those infected, live in sub-Saharan Africa .
After the virus enters the body there is a period of rapid viral replication, leading to an abundance of virus in the peripheral blood. During primary infection, the level of HIV may reach several million virus particles per milliliter of blood. [2] This response is accompanied by a marked drop in the numbers of circulating CD4 + T cells.