INDEX

S.N0 TOPIC
1. AIDS
3 CAUSES OF AIDS
4 TRANSMISISION
5. SYMPTOMS OF HIV- AIDS
6. DIAGNOSIS OF AIDS
7. RECENT DEVELOPMENT
IN AIDS TREATMENT
8. CONLUSION
9. bibliography

AIDS
AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome) is a syndrome caused by a virus
called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The illness alters
the immune system, making people vulnerable to infections and
diseases. This susceptibility worsens as the syndrome progresses.
HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person (semen and
vaginal fluids, blood and breast milk). The virus is passed from
one person to another through blood to blood and sexual contact.
In addition, HIVAIDS infected pregnant women can pass HIV to
their babies during pregnancy, delivering the baby during
childbirth, and through breast feeding.
HIV can be transmitted in many ways such as vaginal, oral sex,
anal sex, blood transfusion and contaminated hypodermic
needles.

CAUSES OF AIDS
HIV is a retrovirus that infects the vital organs of the human
immune system. The virus progresses in the absence of
antiretroviral therapy.
The rate of virus progression between individuals and depends
on many factors like age of the patient, body’s ability to defend
against HIV, access to health care, existence of coexisting
infections, the infected person’s genetic inheritance, resistance to
certain strains of HIV).
 TRANSMISSION
Sexual transmission: It can happen when there is contact with
infected sexual secretions (rectal, genital or oral mucous
membranes).
This can happen while having unprotected sex, including
vaginal, oral and anal sex or sharing sex toys with someone
infected with HIV.
Prenatal transmission: The mother can pass the infection on
to her child during childbirth, pregnancy and also through breast-
feeding.
Blood transmission: The risk of transmitting HIV rough blood
transfusion is now days extremely low in developed countries,
thanks to meticulous Screening and refusing syringes
contaminated with HIV-infected blood is extremely hazardous.
Through injections/drug Through unprotected sexual intercourse During delivery
use

SYMPTOMS OF HIV- AIDS

 Blurred vision
 Diarrhoea, which is usually persistent or chronic
 Dry cough
 Fever of above 37C (100F) lasting for weeks
 Night sweats
 Permanent tiredness
 Shortness of breath
 Swollen glands lasting for weeks
 Weight loss
 DIAGNOSIS OF HIV- AIDS
Blood test: Diagnosis is made through a blood test that screens
specifically for the virus. If the HIV has been found, the test
result is “positive”. The blood is re tested several times before a
positive result is given to the patient. Or those whose tests came
back positive, they will be asked to undergo some other tests to
see how the infection has progressed, and also to decide when to
start treatment.

ELISA Test: An enzyme-linked immunoassay, also called

ELISA or EIA, is a test that detects and measures antibodies in
your blood. This test can be used to determine if you have
antibodies related to certain infectious conditions. Antibodies are
proteins that our body produces in response to harmful
substances called antigens.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN
AIDS TREATMENT
New drugs reawaken latent HIV to eradicate virus.
A new study suggests a class of drugs already being tested in
clinical trials for the key to complete eradication of HIV.

Alcoholism drug could help cure HIV;

Study finds a drug used to treat alcoholism-called disulfiram
could bring us closer to a cure for HIV, according to the results
of a new study led by researchers from the university of
Melbourne in Australia.

HIV vaccine possibility following study antibodies

with loops.
A new study suggests it may be possible to induce a rapid anti-
HIV immune response in unexposed people by developing
vaccine that triggers antibodies containing loop- like structures.

HIV ANTIBODY THERAPY LOOKS PROMISING

A new study of the effects of a new antibody treatment suggests
it may offer a long-term solution for the control of HIV.
HIV PREVENTION
To prevent being infected with HIV, healthcare professionals’
advice precautions related to:

• Unprotected sex.
• Drug abuse and needle sharing.
Strategies such as needle- exchange programs are used to reduce
the infections caused by drug abuse.
 CONCLU
SION
After studying the cause and effects of AIDS from different
views, we conclude that it is a pandemic disease. It is mainly
spreading sexually and person of the age group of 25-45 years
are the most affected group. There are some methods like
‘Antiviral Therapy’ and Immuno Simulative therapy. The rate of
virus progression varies widely on the patient, body’s ability to
defend against HIV, access to health care, existence of
coexisting infections, the infected son’s genetic inheritance,
resistance to certain strains of HIV.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
• NCERT BIOLOGY NEXTBOOK
• www.hiv.gov
• www.wikipedia.org