HIV

The virus that causes ‘ Aids HIV belongs to a family of viruses known as retroviruses. HIV looks like a rolled up porcupine. It contain two snakes like single strands of RNA along with reverse transcripts firmly wrapped up in a core, which resembles a core with a dimple at its base. This core is protected by a spherical shell of protein which, inturn is encapsulated by an envelope which has a knob like protein sticking out of its surface, giving HIV its characteristic appearance.

On entering the white blood cells known as CD 4 cells, HIV sheds its coats to expose its true colors deadly genetic machinery which masterminds the production of its own DNA and sees to it that this gets inserted into the DNA of the host cell. The viral DNA has enough power and information to direct the destiny of the cell. It can force the cell to manufacture raw material, which if it so desires, can give rise to several new copies of HIV. However due to certain trigger and regulatory mechanisms, the viral DNA lies dormant in the host cell for several years before it begins to do the damage. By virtue of its slow action, HIV is classified under a subgroup of retroviruses called lento viruses (lentos – slow). AIDS

People infected with HIV may take 7 – 10 years to develop AIDS. AIDS is an acronym for the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is not a single disease but it is a syndrome- a set of diseases, which results from the destruction of the body’s defenses by human immune deficiency virus, HIV.