The comparison to AIDS is made here. Compare the deaths so far with the 100 million
predicted in this 1993 book. “And all it did was suppress the immune system.” How does
the HIV virus do this?
Thirty-nine million people have died from AIDs since the epidemic began and Thirty-five million people are still living with AIDs around the world. Early detection systems and modern medicine have prolonged the life expectancy for a person with AIDs. The average life expectancy of a person with AIDs in the United States is forty-eight, but in many underdeveloped nations it is much lower. HIV suppresses the immune system by directly infecting T-Cells. T-cells are a type of lymphocyte (small white blood cell) which attack cells which have been infected by a bacteria or virus. T-cells send signals (in the form of antigens) to B-cells which are responsible for creating antibodies. Antibodies are a y-shaped proteins used by the immune system to neutralize pathogens like bacteria and viruses, these proteins lock on to proteins on the outer coat of the virus. However,when these helper t-cells are infected they become hosts for the multiplication of the virus rather than attacking other harmful infections, this misuse of t-cells leaves the immune system susceptible to any infection. Often people with HIV do not die from the virus, but rather from an infection which is contracted as a result of a weakened immune system. Immune System 101. (2011, August 22). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/just-diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/hiv-in-your-body/immune-system-101/ Life expectancy now considerably exceeds the average in some people with HIV in the US. (2014, January 26). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://www.aidsmap.com/Life-expectancy-now-considerably-exceeds-the-average-in-some-people-with-HIV-in-the-US/page/2816267/ Statistics Overview. (2015, May 11). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/statistics/basics/index.html
Thirty-nine million people have died from AIDs since the epidemic began and Thirty-five million people are still living with AIDs around the world. Early detection systems and modern medicine have prolonged the life expectancy for a person with AIDs. The average life expectancy of a person with AIDs in the United States is forty-eight, but in many underdeveloped nations it is much lower. HIV suppresses the immune system by directly infecting T-Cells. T-cells are a type of lymphocyte (small white blood cell) which attack cells which have been infected by a bacteria or virus. T-cells send signals (in the form of antigens) to B-cells which are responsible for creating antibodies. Antibodies are a y-shaped proteins used by the immune system to neutralize pathogens like bacteria and viruses, these proteins lock on to proteins on the outer coat of the virus. However,when these helper t-cells are infected they become hosts for the multiplication of the virus rather than attacking other harmful infections, this misuse of t-cells leaves the immune system susceptible to any infection. Often people with HIV do not die from the virus, but rather from an infection which is contracted as a result of a weakened immune system.
ReplyDeleteImmune System 101. (2011, August 22). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/just-diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/hiv-in-your-body/immune-system-101/
Life expectancy now considerably exceeds the average in some people with HIV in the US. (2014, January 26). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://www.aidsmap.com/Life-expectancy-now-considerably-exceeds-the-average-in-some-people-with-HIV-in-the-US/page/2816267/
Statistics Overview. (2015, May 11). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/statistics/basics/index.html
Hi Sophia, what other reasons may have contributed to HIV not spreading to the 100 million people as previously predicted?
Delete