5 Questions
What is the role of macrophages in HIV infection?
They act as a HIV factory by producing virus particles
How does HIV affect the number of helper T-lymphocytes in the body?
It leads to a progressive decrease in the number of helper T-lymphocytes
What is a widely used diagnostic test for AIDS?
Enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA)
Why is prevention considered the best option for AIDS?
AIDS has no cure, so prevention is crucial
What is the effectiveness of anti-retroviral drugs in treating AIDS?
They can only prolong the life of the patient but cannot prevent death
Study Notes
HIV Infection and Immune System
- Macrophages, a type of white blood cell, play a role in HIV infection as they can be infected by HIV, allowing the virus to replicate and spread.
HIV and Helper T-Lymphocytes
- HIV targets and destroys helper T-lymphocytes (CD4 cells), which are crucial for fighting off infections, leading to a significant decline in their numbers.
Diagnosing AIDS
- The ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and Western Blot tests are widely used to diagnose AIDS, detecting the presence of HIV antibodies in the blood.
Prevention of AIDS
- Prevention is considered the best option for AIDS, as there is no cure, and the virus can be transmitted through unprotected sex, contaminated needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
Treating AIDS with Anti-Retroviral Drugs
- Anti-retroviral drugs can effectively slow down the progression of HIV infection to AIDS, reducing the viral load and increasing the CD4 cell count, thereby improving the quality of life for people living with HIV.
Test your knowledge on the replication process of HIV within the human body, including the role of macrophages and helper T-lymphocytes.
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