Life cycle of HIV virus in human Body

 The life cycle of HIV

HIV has glycoprotein receptors on its envelope while T4 cells have CD4(Cluster of differentiation) receptors, during traveling in blood HIV glycoprotein receptors stick with T4 cells on CD4 protein receptors.

Once HIV binds to a host cell, the viral envelope fuses with the cell membrane, and the RNA and enzymes of the virus enter the host cell. Three types of enzymes of HIV that come into the host cell along with RNA are reversed

Test transcriptase, integrase and protease. The reverse transcriptase converts viral RNA into DNA. The enzyme integrase then facilitates DNA delivery of this viral DNA into the host DNA.

The integrated DNA is now called provirus. Virus mRNA is transcribed in the host cell by host cell polymerase. This mRNA is translated into proteins. 

These proteins are large in size which are then cleaved by the protease enzyme to form virion structural proteins. Thus immature virion is produced which is budded off from the cell membrane. As it becomes a mature infectious virion. A cell infected with buds off takes the covering of the host cell membrane and retrovirus does not necessarily lyse the cell when its replication takes place.

 In HIV infection T4 cells are destroyed thus immunity is decreased and the patient becomes susceptible to other diseases. As it causes immune system deficiency it was c (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

Symptoms of AIDS:

The infection of HIV may be divided into three stages. The primary infection. In this stage symptoms like fever, swollen lymph nodes, inflammation of the throat, and night sweats occur. However, these symptoms disappear after some days and there are no symptoms for about nine months, therefore, this first stage is called asymptomatic carrier.

The second stage is known as the AIDS-related complex. In this stage, some of the early symptoms of acute infection reappear like swollen lymph nodes under the armpit, neck region, groin region, fever, aches, etc. Some other symptoms like a persistent cough, persistent diarrhea, flu, night sweating, loss of memory, loss of judgment and depression, weakness, etc. This stage may continue from a few months to many years.

The last stage of HIV infection is called full-blown AIDS. This stage is characterized by severe weight loss, weakness, and opportunistic infections such as Kaposi's sarcoma (skin cancer), cervical cancer, and cancer of the lymphatic system. Opportunistic infections are such infections which are

caused by very weak pathogens which usually never cause infection as our immune system can easily destroy them.

Transmission of AIDS:

HIV is transmitted by three main routes i.e., sexual contact, body fluids, and mother to child.

Sexual contact is the most frequent cause of HIV transmission. The second most common mode of HIV transmission is body fluid, which includes blood transfusion,, surgical instruments, contaminated syringes, razors, blades, etc. The mother-to-child transmission may occur during pregnancy, during delivery, or breastfeeding. 

Prevention of AIDS:

There is currently no cure or vaccine to prevent or cure HIV infection. A treatment

known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is given but no significant improvement is observed. Therefore, prevention is the only cure for AIDS. The following preventive measures are recommended to avoid HIV infection.

1. Avoid immoral sexual contact and follow Islamic teachings to live a clean and healthy life.
2. Surgical instruments must be sterilized before use.
3. Disposable syringes should be used. Blood must be screened before transfusion. Do not share razor blades and toothbrushes.
4. HIV-positive mothers should avoid breastfeeding.