Biology homework

Topic: HIV/AIDS

Group Members: Suprena Poleon, M’Bognon Bedia and Carine Ndah

History: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was first discovered in the early 1980s. The first official cases were reported in 1981 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By 1983, scientists had identified HIV as the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Scientists believe that HIV/AIDS originated from chimpanzees in Central Africa and was transmitted to humans when they hunted and ate infected animals. The chimpanzee version of this virus is called Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV).

Mode of Transmission & Risk of Infection: HIV can be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, breast milk, vaginal and rectal fluids of an infected person. High risk behaviors include unprotected sex, previous STIs and sharing of needles for drug use. High risk populations include intravenous drug users, men who have sex with men (MSM), and black or African American men and women.

Symptoms of HIV vary by stage:

Acute Stage (Early Stage)- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, rash, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes may occur within the first 2-4 weeks of infection. At this stage the virus is highly infectious due to the high viral load. However, some people may not experience any symptoms.

Chronic Stage- Some people may have no noticeable symptoms, while others may experience mild symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fatigue and recurrent respiratory infections.

AIDS Stage- This is the most severe stage of HIV and it’s usually characterized by low CD4 cell counts and a weakened immune system. A weakened immune system exposes individuals to varying opportunistic infections, which highly determines the symptoms experienced. Symptoms may include rapid weight loss, recurring fever, extreme fatigue, prolonged swelling of lymph glands, diarrhea, pneumonia, and other severe illnesses, including cancer.

Treatment: There is no cure for HIV; however, it can be managed with antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART helps reduce the viral load, strengthens the immune system, prevents progression to AIDS, and reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others. People who adhere to their ART treatment plan are able to live long, healthy lives.

Topic: HIV/AIDS

Group Members: Suprena Poleon, M’Bognon Bedia and Carine Ndah

History: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was first discovered in the early 1980s. The first official cases were reported in 1981 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By 1983, scientists had identified HIV as the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Scientists believe that HIV/AIDS originated from chimpanzees in Central Africa and was transmitted to humans when they hunted and ate infected animals. The chimpanzee version of this virus is called Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV).

Mode of Transmission & Risk of Infection: HIV can be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, breast milk, vaginal and rectal fluids of an infected person. High risk behaviors include unprotected sex, previous STIs and sharing of needles for drug use. High risk populations include intravenous drug users, men who have sex with men (MSM), and black or African American men and women.

Symptoms of HIV vary by stage:

Acute Stage (Early Stage)- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, rash, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes may occur within the first 2-4 weeks of infection. At this stage the virus is highly infectious due to the high viral load. However, some people may not experience any symptoms.

Chronic Stage- Some people may have no noticeable symptoms, while others may experience mild symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fatigue and recurrent respiratory infections.

AIDS Stage- This is the most severe stage of HIV and it’s usually characterized by low CD4 cell counts and a weakened immune system. A weakened immune system exposes individuals to varying opportunistic infections, which highly determines the symptoms experienced. Symptoms may include rapid weight loss, recurring fever, extreme fatigue, prolonged swelling of lymph glands, diarrhea, pneumonia, and other severe illnesses, including cancer.

Treatment: There is no cure for HIV; however, it can be managed with antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART helps reduce the viral load, strengthens the immune system, prevents progression to AIDS, and reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others. People who adhere to their ART treatment plan are able to live long, healthy lives.