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Questions and Answers
Explain the role of antigen p24 in HIV testing.
Explain the role of antigen p24 in HIV testing.
The antigen p24 is a protein that pops up after HIV buds off. It is used as a marker in HIV testing to detect the presence of the virus in the early stages of infection.
What is the significance of viral load in HIV infection?
What is the significance of viral load in HIV infection?
Viral load refers to the amount of HIV in 1mL of blood. A higher viral load indicates a greater amount of HIV in the body, which is associated with immune suppression and determines the severity of the illness.
Describe the cellular response involved in HIV infection.
Describe the cellular response involved in HIV infection.
The cellular response in HIV infection involves CD4 cells, which are targeted and killed by the virus. As HIV kills CD4 cells, the viral load increases and the immune system becomes suppressed.
