MEDICAL DNA PRESENTATION

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This is an interactive learning presentaton exploring the biology and societal aspects of HIV/AIDS. Click "START" to begin.

HIv/aids

Table of Contents

Orgins of HIV

Life Cycle of HIV

What is HIV/AIDS

History of HIV/AIDS

Preventative measures

Stages of HIV/AIDS

How is HIV Transmitted?

Trivia

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks and weakens the immune system. The virus attacks the white blood cells (CD4) in the body which fight against infection, leaving the immune system weak. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic condition that occurs during the later stage of HIV. This leads to an onset of diseases that can attack the body like tuberculosis, cryptococcal meningitis, severe bacterial infections, and certain cancers[1].

What is HIV/AIDS

Click on the link below to listen to a podcast that details the orgin of HIV virus [5].

The orgin of HIV/AIDS was widely researched and researchers discovered that the orgins of the HIV virus dates back to a virus called the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) which was prevalent in chimpanzees in Sub-Saharan Africa centries ago. The SIV virus entered the human population in 1908. Researchers believed that it entered into an human hunter through a cut while hunting a chimoanzee that was infected with the SIV virus. The SIV virus then adapted to the human body becoming HIV[2,3]. From there, it spread through out civilization.

Orgin of HIV/AIDS

4. Integration: Once inside the CD4 cell nucleus, HIV uses integrase to insert its DNA into the DNA of the host cell [4].

3. Reverse Transcriptase:HIV uses reverse transcriptase to convert the HIV RNA into HIV DNA. This will then enter the CD4 cell nucleus and combine with the cell’s DNA [4].

2. Fusion: After HIV attaches itself the CD4 cell, the HIV viral envelope fuses with the CD4 cell membrane which causes the HIV to enter the CD4 cell. Once inside the CD4 cell, the virus then releases HIV RNA and enzymes that take over the cell [4].

HIV/AIDS life cycle consists of 7 stages.

1. Binding:This is the attachment stage where HIV attacks and binds to a CD4 cell. It first attaches to the CD4 receptor and then either a CCR5 or CXCR4 coreceptor [4].

HIV Virus Life Cycle

6. Assembly:During assembly, new HIV RNA and HIV proteins made by the host CD4 cell move to the surface of the cell and assemble into noninfectious HIV [4].

7. Budding: The noninfectious HIV is released from the host CD4 cell. Once outside the CD4 cell, the new HIV releases protease which breaks up the long protein chains in the noninfectious virus, creating the infectious virus. It can then continue on to infect the rest of the cells in the body [4].

HIV/AIDS life cycle consists of 7 stages.

5. Replication: The virus creates long chains of HIV proteins which help to build more HIV viruses [4].

HIV Life Cycle

Here is a infographic and video that demonstrates the life stages of HIV virus [4,5].

3. AIDS: The last and most serious stage of HIV infection is AIDS. The immune system is significantly compromised by HIV, making it impossible for the body to fend off infections. After receiving a diagnosis of AIDS, a person may have a high viral load and be very contagious. AIDS patients usually live for three years without treatment [6].

Click here for the 3 stages diagram

1. Acute HIV Infection: This is initial stage of HIV infection which often appears two to four weeks following HIV infection. Some people experience flu-like symptoms during this time, including fever, headache, and rash. HIV spreads throughout the body and multiplies quickly during the acute stage of infection. The risk of HIV transmission is significantly increased during the acute HIV infection stage due to the extremely high blood level of HIV[6].

2. Chronic HIV infection: This stage is also referred to as asymptomatic HIV infection or clinical latency. HIV continues to grow in the body very slowly. It's possible for people with long-term HIV infection to exhibit no symptoms at all. This period may last for 10 years without treatment[6].

There are 3 stages of HIV/AIDS

Stages of HIV/AIDS

Symptoms of HIV/AIDS include[7]:

• Fever

• Rash
• Night sweats
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes

HIV/AIDS Symptoms

HIV/ AIDS is transmitted through a variety of ways. Many people believe that HIV/AIDS is only transmitted sexually however that is false[7]. To learn more information about how HIV is transmitted, click this link.

How is HIV/AIDS Transmitted?

The CDC offers a varierty of resources on preventing the transmission o HIV/AIDS. Click on the link below to see useful resources:

While there is no HIV vaccine, HIV transmission can be prevented in a series of ways[8]:

• Practice safe sex through the use of condoms.
• Use sterile injection equipment.
• Regulary get STD screened for HIV/AIDS
• Take medication like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) if you are at risk of contacting HIV/AIDS

Preventative Measures

The first case of HIV/AIDS in the US was reported in 1982 and has been an ongoing public health concern to present day. Click on the circles to be taken through the timeline.

History of HIV/AIDS in the US

1980-1989

1990-2000

2001-2010

2010-Present day

1981 was the start of the HIV/AID crisis. In June 1981, the first case of an automimmmune disease was recorded which would later be known as AIDS. By July 1981, 26 men were diagnosed with Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) which is linked to HIV/AIDS . In September 1982, the CDC offically used the term acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). There was wide spread propaganda that called HIV/AIDS the "gay disease." From 1983-1984, researchers linked AIDs to being caused by HIV, which has been ciruculating through out the US. From 1985-1989, HIV/AIDS became widespread throughout the major cities in the US. In 1985, the first blood test for HIV/AIDS was developed which helped to identify infected individuals. During this time, there was widespread stigma and hysteria that linked HIV/AIDS to the LGBTQ communtity, sex workers, and people with drug additions [9].

1980s

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During 1990-1991, HIV/AIDS was at a peak with more 200,000 case present in the United States. Famous celebrities like Magic Johnson and Freddie Mercury were revealed to be infected with HIV/AIDS. Freddie Mercury later died from bronchial pnemonia due to AIDS. The CDC indentified that in 1992, HIV/AIDS was the #1 killer of men between the ages 25-44 [9]. In 1992, the Ryan White Care Act was passed after a 16 year old named Ryan White died due to AIDs. This act increased funding for HIV treatments [10]. In 1996, the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy helped to decrease the affects of HIV/AIDS. This is a treatment that uses a combination of three or more drugs to treat HIV infection. It stops the virus from replicating, reducing the damage to the immune system caused by HIV [11].

1990s

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In the early 2000s, HIV/AIDS was declared a national security threat by the United Nations. This lead to Congress passing Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, while Bill Clinton issued an excecutive order to assist devloping countries by sending them HIV/AIDS medication. This act established the World Bank AIDS Trust Fund for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis across continents, investing $45 billion to end the epidemic [12]. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was launched by President George W. Bush which helped to fight AIDS globally. In 2006, the HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) clinical trials were delevopled. This was medication that was a preventative option for people at high risk of contracting HIV [12].

Early 2000s

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In 2013, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce HIV transmission, improve care for people living with HIV, and reduce health disparities related to the virus. The "undetectable = untransmittable" (U=U) reduced the stigma around HIV and educated the public about how antiretroviral therapy allows HIV positive indiviuals to be able to manage their condictions and will not sexually transmit the virus[14]. During the 2010s there was a sharp decline in the number of HIV/AIDS cases. As the years move towards present day, the U.S. continues to make progress in both the treatment of HIV and efforts to end the epidemic. While there is still no cure for HIV, there have been great advancements in treatment that has allowed many HIV positive individuals to live a long healthy life [9,12].

2010 to Present Day

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Lets play trivia!

Lets play trivia!

Works Cited

Thank you for participating in this interactive experience! I hope you gained valuable inforamtion about HIV/AIDS!

THANKS!