HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a type of RNA virus that infects white blood cells. HIV caused one of the most deadly diseases in the world, which is AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Until now, at least 30 to 40 million people lost their battle with AIDS. This disease spread almost all over the world, and until now, there is no cure for it.
HIV is very dangerous since it can harm the white blood cells which are important to maintain the body’s immune system. AIDS infection causes someone to suffer from immune deficiency, a condition occurred when the body could not maintain its immune system. Today, the AIDS epidemic is not only considered as a health issue, but it has become a global and security issue. The widespread AIDS epidemic made the United Nations passed Resolution 1308, in which AIDS had a lasting impact on society and could lead to instability and emergency situations if it remained unchecked.
HIV is classified as a virus, an infection-causing gene that may only live in living cells, such as animal (including human) cells, plant, fungus, and bacteria. HIV was first found in 1930 when it infected chimpanzee hunters in Congo. In the mid of 1900s, biologist identified that at least there are eight different subtypes from HIV that could infect humans. The origin of the virus is still debated. Many biologists argued that this virus originated in Africa. However, research results showed that the AIDS-resistant strains, which indicate the origin of the virus, could not be found in Africa.
Compared with other viruses such as H1N1, H5N1, SARS, and Ebola, HIV has uncommon properties, HIV-1 and HIV-2 strains have much higher resistance and genetic mutation levels compared to other viruses. Moreover, HIV virus also has a very long incubation period, around 2-6 and 4-10 years until the patient infected with AIDS. It means that it is difficult to identify people infected by HIV.
There are three ways of how this disease spreads:
- Contaminated blood (for instance through transfusion or the use of intravenous drugs)
- Sexual intercourse
- Hereditary (woman infected her children during pregnancy or breastfeeding period)
Today, the cure for HIV is yet to be found. The efforts that may be done including using drugs to hinder the virus development pace. The drug is called antiretroviral (ARV). The ARV drug works by removing the element needed by HIV virus to replicate itself and prevent the virus from destroying CD4 cells.
Text by Rezky Zakiri
Stock photos from Google Search Images
Source(s):
- Fadil, I. A. D, Melaty, A. (2017). Epidemi Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Sebagai Potensi Ancaman Bioweapons & Bioterorism di Asia Tenggara. Jurnal ilmu politik dan komunikasi JIPSI Vol VII No. 2.
- HIV - Microbiology Society for General. https://microbiologysociety.org/uploads/assets/uploaded/055be0d8-e063-433e-978b50a5dc2e69fa.pdf, September 12, 2018
- CDC - HIV Treatment. US Department of Healt and Human Service (2018).