Plan to express that AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, debilitates the immune system by interfering with the activity of helper T cells. The symptoms include severe weight loss, night sweats, and swollen lymph nodes. The body may not display any physically external symptoms during early HIV infection but only in the last stage of the infection. It is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that is transmitted via body fluids including blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. The virus can enter the body through blood transfusions, sexual intercourse and oral sex, mother to fetus and blood-contaminated needles.
HIV enters the cell and uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to produce DNA from its viral RNA. Reverse transcriptase, also known as RNA-directed DNA polymerase, transcribes RNA into DNA instead of the usual process in which DNA is transcribed into RNA. This makes it possible for genetic material from a retrovirus, any group of viruses, to integrate into the DNA genome of an infected cell. This results in a provirus, which is now able to replicate with the genome of a host cell to make viral RNA and proteins. This enables the virus to reproduce. HIV reverse transcriptase results in frequent errors and ultimately lead to high mutation and resistance to drugs.
In retrospect, symptoms will arise in the following pattern: acute illness, asymptomatic period, and advanced infection. During acute illness, most people that are infected with HIV will experience flu-like symptoms within two to four weeks after becoming infected; known as acute HIV infection. It will last until the body has created antibodies against HIV. Then the asymptomatic period follows in which initial symptoms disappear. HIV may not present any symptoms for months or even years. The virus replicates within your body during this period and it begins to debilitate your immune system. Due to the virus being still active it is important to undergo early testing because you can transmit it to others. Finally, during advanced infection which may take up to ten years or longer, HIV will begin to deteriorate your immune system. Once this occurs HIV will progress to AIDS and this marks the last stage of infection. This makes the body more susceptible to other infections due to damage of the immune system that HIV and AIDS has caused.
Advising teenagers to practice safe sex by always using a condom will all partners. Also to avoid sharing or reusing of needles when injecting drugs into the body. Stress the importance to get tested for HIV. That way if you test positive for HIV you can receive treatment and reduce the risk of transmitting the disease unto others.
