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NAME OF THE STUDENT: P.GAYATHRI

CLASS & SECTION: XII – B4
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S.NO CONTENT PAGE NO

1-2
1. AIDS

3-4
2. CAUSES OF AIDS

5-8
3. SYMTOPMS OF HIV – AIDS

9-11
4. DIAGNOSE OF AIDS

12-17
5. TREATMENT OF HIV – AIDS

18-19
6. RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN AIDS
TREATMENT

19-22
7. HIV PREVENTION

23
8. CONCLUSION

23-24
9. HYPOTHESIS

25
10. BIBILOGRAPHY
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AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a syndrome

caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency
Virus). The illness alters the immune system, making people
much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. This
susceptibility worsens as the syndrome progresses. HIV is
found in the body fluids of an infected person (semen and
vaginal fluids, blood and breast milk). The virus is passed
from one person to another through blood to

-blood and sexual contact. In pregnant women can pass HIV

to their babies during pregnancy, delivering the baby during
childbirth, and through breast feeding. HIV can be transmitted
in many ways, such as vaginal, oral sex, anal sex, blood
transfusion, and contaminated hypodermic needles.
“The red ribbon is the worldwide symbol of support and
awareness for people living with HIV.”
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Both the virus and syndrome are often referred to together as

HIV/AIDS. People with HIV have what is called HIV
infection. As a result, some will then develop AIDS.
The development of numerous opportunistic infections in an
AIDS patient can ultimately lead the death.
According to research, the origins of HIV date back to the late
nineteenth or early twentieth century in west-central Africa.
AIDS and its causes, HIV, were first identified and
recognized in the early 1960s.
This is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS. Treatments can
slow the course of the condition – some infected people can
live a long and relatively healthy life.
➢ HIV is the virus which attacks the T – cells in the
immune system.
➢ AIDS is the syndrome which appears in advanced stages
of HIV infection.
➢ HIV is a virus.
➢ AIDS is a medical condition.
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HIV is a retrovirus that infects the vital organs of the human

immune system. The virus progresses in the absence of
antiretroviral therapy. The rate of virus progressions varies
widely between individuals and depends on many factors (age
of the patient, body’s ability to defend against HIV, access to
health care, existence of coexisting infections, the infected
person’s genetic inheritance, resistance to certain strains of
HIV).
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Sexual transmission. It can happen when there is contact with

infected sexual secretions (rectal, genital or oral mucous
membrane0. This can happen while having unprotected sex,
including vaginal, and anal sex or sharing sex toys with
someone infected with HIV.
Prenatal transmission. The mother can pass the infection on to
her child during childbirth, pregnancy, and also through
breastfeeding.
Blood transmission. The risk of transmitting HIV through
blood transfusion is nowadays extremely low in developed
countries, thanks to meticulous screening and precautions.
Among drug users, sharing and reusing syringes contaminated
with HIV-infected blood is extremely hazardous.
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What is the difference between a sign and a symptom?

A sign is something other people, apart from the patient can
defect, such as a swelling, rash, or change in skin color. A
symptom is something only the patient feels and describes,
such as a headache, fatigue, or dizziness. For the most part,
the symptoms of HIV are the result of infections caused by
bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. These conditions do not
normally develop in individuals with healthy immune
systems, which protect the body against infection.
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Many people with HIV have no symptoms for several years.

Others may develop symptoms similar to flu, usually two to
six weeks after catching the virus. The symptoms can last up
to four weeks.

1. Symptoms of early HIV infection may

include:
• Fever
• Chills
• Joint pain
• Muscle ache
• Sore throat
• Sweats (particularly at night)
• Enlarged glands
• A red rash
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Weight loss
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In many cases, after the initial symptoms disappear, there will

not be any further symptoms for many years. During this time,
the virus carries on developing and damages the immune
system. This process can take up to 10 years. The infected
person will experience no symptoms, feel well and appear
healthy
Symptoms of late-stage HIV infection may
include:

1. Blurred vision
2. Diarrhea, which is usually persistent or chronic
3. Dry cough
4. Fever of above 37c (100f) lasting for weeks
5. Night sweats
6. Permanent tiredness
7. Shortness of breath
8. Swollen glands lasting for weeks
9. Weight loss

During late-stage HIV infection, the risk of developing a life-

threatening illness is much greater. Examples include:
1. Esophagitis (an inflammation of the lining of the lower
end of the esophagus)
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2. Infections to the nervous system (acute aseptic meningitis,

sub-acute encephalitis, peripheral neuropathy)

3. Pneumonia
4. Some cancers, such as kaposi’s sarcoma, invasive cervical
cancer, lung cancer, rectal carcinomas, hepatocellular,
head and neck cancers, cancers of the immune system
known as lymphomas
5. Toxoplasmosis (a disease caused by a parasite that infects
the brain. It can also cause disease in the eyes and lungs)
6. Tuberculosis
7. Life-threatening illnesses may be controlled and treated
with proper HIV treatment.
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Diagnosis is made through a blood test that screens

specifically for the virus.
If the HIV has been found, the test result is “positive”. The
blood is retested several times before a positive result is given
to the patient.
For those whose tests came back positive, they will be asked
to undergo some other tests to see how the infection has
progressed, and also to decide when to start treatment. If a
person has been exposed to the virus, it is crucial that they get
tested as soon as possible. The earlier HIV is detected, the
more likely the treatment will be successful. Also, precautions
can be taken to prevent the virus from spreading to other
people.
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An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, also called ELISA

or EIA, is a test that detects and measures antibodies in your
blood. This test can be used to determine if you have
antibodies related to certain infectious conditions. Antibodies
are proteins that your body produces in response to harmful
substances called antigens. An ELISA test may be used to
diagnose:

▪ HIV, which cause AIDS

▪ Lyme disease
▪ Pernicious anemia
▪ Rocky mountain spotted fever
(RMSF)
▪ Rotavirus
▪ Squamous cell carcinoma
▪ Syphilis
▪ Toxoplasmosis

Varicella-zoster virus, which causes chicken pox and shingles

ELISA is often used as a screening tool before more in-depth
tests are ordered. A doctor may suggest this test if you’re
having signs or symptoms of the conditions above or your
doctor wants to rule any of these conditions.
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The ELISA test is simple and straightforward. You’ll

probably need to sign consent form, and your doctor should
explain the reason for doing the test. The ELISA test involves
taking a sample of your blood. First, a health care provider
will cleanse your arm with an antiseptic. The, a tourniquet, on
band, will be applied around your arm to create pressure and
cause your veins to swell with blood. Next, a needle will be
placed in one of your veins to draw a small sample of blood.
When enough blood has been collected, the needle will be
removed and a small bandage will be placed on your arm
where the needle was. You’ll be asked to elevate your arm
and place pressure on it with gauze to reduce blood flow. This
procedure should be relatively painless, but your arm may
throb a little after the procedure. The blood sample will be
sent to a laboratory for analysis.
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Is there a cure for HIV?

There is currently no cure for HIV, but there are many
treatment options that can slow the progression of HIV
significantly.

How is HIV treated?

HIV is treated with a combination of medicines (pills) taken
by mouth every day. This combination of pills is called
antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Taking a combination of types of pills, rather than just one, is

the most effective way to keep HIV from multiplying and
destroying your cells. There are also combination pills that
have several medications in a single pill. Your healthcare
provider will carefully select a combination specifically for
you.

The goal of ART is to reduce HIV in the blood (viral load) to

an amount that’s not detectable by an HIV test and to slow
HIV’s weakening of your immune system.
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Medications used to treat HIV?

Each type of pill used in ART has a different way of keeping
HIV from making more copies of itself or from infecting your
cells. There can be many different brand names of the same
type of ART drug.

Types of ART medications include:

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs).
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs).
Protease inhibitors (PIs). Fusion inhibitors. CCR5 antagonists.
Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). Attachment
inhibitors.
Post-attachment inhibitors. Pharmacokinetic enhancers.
Combination of HIV medicines.

How can I take care of myself while living

with HIV?
It’s very important to take your medications as prescribed and
to make sure you don’t miss appointments. This is called
treatment adherence.
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Emergency HIV pills, also known as Post-Exposure

Prophylaxis (PEP), are antiretroviral medications taken after a
possible exposure to HIV to prevent infection. PEP must be
started within 72 hours (3 days) of the exposure for it to be
effective.
PEP is only for emergency situations, not for regular use.
If you are at ongoing risk for HIV, talk to your healthcare
provider about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis).
You may need blood work to check your liver, kidney, and
bone marrow function if you take PEP.
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Antiretroviral drugs are medications used to treat HIV

infection. They work by inhibiting the virus’s ability to
replicate, preventing further damage to the immune system
and reducing the risk of transmission. Antiretroviral therapy
(ART) involves taking a combination of these drugs, often
referred to as a “treatment regimen,” to effectively suppress
the virus.

How Antiretroviral Drugs Work:

Inhibit Viral Replication:
Antiretroviral drugs target different stages of the HIV
replication cycle, preventing the virus from making copies of
itself.

Reduce Viral Load:

By inhibiting replication, these drugs decrease the amount of
HIV in the body, a measure known as viral load.

Improve Immune System:

When viral load is suppressed, the immune system can
recover and repair itself, helping the body fight off other
infections.
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Prevent Transmission:
Suppressed viral load significantly reduces the risk of HIV
transmission to others.

Combination Therapy:
HIV is treated with a combination of antiretroviral drugs to
prevent the virus from developing resistance to any single
drug.

Side Effects:
Antiretroviral drugs can have side effects, and it’s important
to discuss these with a healthcare professional.
Interactions with Other Medications:
Some antiretroviral drugs can interact with other medications,
so it’s essential to inform your doctor about all medications
you are taking.
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Recent studies offer new clues in the search for an effective

HIV vaccine, focusing on targeting specific parts of the virus
to elicit protective antibodies and potentially achieve a
functional cure. One promising avenue is identifying proteins,
like g28v2, that can guide the immune system to produce
broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Another approach
involves studying how HIV’s outer covering (Env) interacts
with the immune system to better understand how to trigger
protective responses.

Focus on bNAbs:
Researchers are actively trying to identify and replicate the
mechanisms that lead to the production of bNAbs, which are
antibodies that can neutralize a wide range of HIV strains.

Targeting Env:
Understanding the structure and interactions of HIV’s Env
protein is crucial for designing vaccines that can effectively
stimulate the immune system to produce protective antibodies,
according to the Times of India.
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HIV treatment has come a long way. With daily medication,

most people with HIV can live a normal life span. But unmet
needs still remain. Some people, for example, find it hard to
remember to take their medicine every day. Others develop
drug-resistant strains of HIV that make medications
ineffective.
Fortunately, researchers continue to search for new and better
HIV treatments that can fill these gaps in care. Here’s a look
at some of the most exciting options.
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Promising Drugs in Development

When you have HIV, you go on a treatment called
antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as possible after your
diagnosis. ART generally includes three different HIV
medicines from at least three different drug classes. This may
mean that you take multiple pills per day, although there are
several one pill per day or two pills per day regimens.
Some people struggle to keep up with these pills, especially if
they have substance use or mental health disorders. Others
develop resistance to these drugs. That means the virus
changes and the medicine no longer keeps it under control.

To prevent HIV transmission during sex, indiViduals can use

condoms correctly every time they have sex, consider using
pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) if they are at high risk, and
seek post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours if they
believe they may have been exposed. Additionally, if someone
has HIV and is taking antiretroviral therapy (ART), they can
significantly reduce the risk of transmission to their partner.
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Condom Use:
Condoms are highly effective at preventing HIV transmission
when used correctly and consistently.
Proper condom use includes using a new condom every time,
placing it correctly, and ensuring it remains in place
throughout the sexual activity.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP):

PrEP is an HIV prevention medication that can significantly
reduce the risk of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use.
It's recommended for people who are at high risk of HIV
infection, such as those with multiple partners or who use
drugs.
PrEP requires consistent daily use for maximum effectiveness
and regular HIV testing while taking it.
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Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP):

PEP is a medication taken after a potential HIV exposure, like
unprotected sex, to prevent infection.
It should be taken as soon as possible after the exposure,
ideally within 72 hours, to be most effective.
PEP is a 28-day course of medication and requires follow-up
testing and monitoring.

Treatment as Prevention (TasP):

When an HIV-positive individual takes HIV medicines (ART)
as prescribed, their viral load can be suppressed to
undetectable levels, making it extremely unlikely that they
will transmit HIV through sex.
This principle is known as “Treatment as Prevention” (TasP)
and is a highly effective strategy for reducing HIV
transmission.

If you inject drugs, sharing and reusing needles, syringes, or

other injection equipment (“works”) like cookers can increase
your chance of getting or transmitting HIV or hepatitis B and
C. This is because the needles, syringes, or works may have
blood in them, and blood can carry HIV.
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HIV transmission primarily occurs through the exchange of

bodily fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast
milk. This can happen during sexual contact, through shared
needles for drug injection, and from a mother to her child
during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. HIV is not
transmitted through ordinary day-to-day contact like kissing,
hugging, or sharing food or water, or through contact with
unbroken skin.

HIV in pregnancy refers to a woman being infected with HIV

while she is pregnant. The primary concern is the risk of
transmitting the virus to her child during pregnancy,
childbirth, or breastfeeding, a process known as perinatal
transmission. However, with proper medical care, including
antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other strategies, the risk of
transmission can be reduced to very low levels, according to
the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
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Primary HIV infection is a critical period in which the

virological and immunological events that take place, even
before the onset of clinical symptoms, may determine the
long-term outcome of disease. Early recognition of symptoms,
especially in people deemed to be high-risk individuals, is
critical. Understanding the pathophysiology of PHI allows
appropriate selection of diagnostic tests in the acute period.
Early diagnosis allows prompt institution of ART, which has
highly significant health benefits in the individual, and is
fundamental to the concept of treatment as prevention of
further transmission, conferring significant public health
benefit.

The prevailing hypothesis for the cause of AIDS, known as

the HIV-AIDS hypothesis, posits that it is a new, sexually
transmitted virus, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV),
that destroys white blood cells, ultimately leading to AIDS.
This hypothesis has been widely accepted by the scientific
and medical community. However, alternative hypotheses,
such as the Duesberg hypothesis, suggest that HIV is not the
cause of AIDS, and that other factors play a role.
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Elaboration:
The HIV-AIDS Hypothesis:
This is the most widely accepted explanation for AIDS. It
proposes that HIV, a retrovirus, infects and destroys specific
white blood cells called CD4 T cells, which are crucial for the
immune system’s function. The destruction of these cells
weakens the immune system, making individuals susceptible
to opportunistic infections, which are the defining
characteristics of AIDS.

The Duesberg Hypothesis:

This alternative theory, popularized by Peter Duesberg, argues
that HIV is not the causative agent of AIDS and that other
factors, such as drug use, are responsible for the disease. This
hypothesis has been largely rejected by the scientific
community, which considers the evidence supporting the
HIV-AIDS hypothesis to be strong.

Other Alternative Hypotheses:

Besides the Duesberg hypothesis, other theories have also
been proposed, such as the oral polio vaccine AIDS
hypothesis, which suggests that the vaccine itself may have
been linked to the emergence of AIDS. However, these
alternative hypotheses have not gained wide acceptance
within the scientific community.
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Parts of this project have been referred from foreign sources

and have been included in this project after editing.

BOOKS:
a) Biology NCERT book class 12th
b) National geographic magazine

INTERNET SOURCES:
a) www.google.com
b) www.wikipedia.com
c) www.biflora.com
d) www.nationalgergraphic.com
e) www.vectorstocks.com
f) www.encyclopedial.com
g) www.icbse.com
h) www.who.org
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