Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is basically an immune deficiency virus that attacks the immune system in a unique way. HIV can take over cells by a process known as phagocytosis. The unique thing about HIV is that it specifically targets the cells necessary to activate the immune response, helper T-cells. Without these helper T-cells the body can't make antibodies like it is supposed to and thus can't eliminate the infected HIV cells. This enables the HIV virus to multiply because it is invading and killing the very cells that are meant to stop it (Brown).

The most common way to diagnose HIV is to take a blood test. This searches for the antibodies for HIV. Similarly, they can also look at saliva and urine for these antibodies. The test is called Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). If ELISA comes back positive then a second test is performed to ensure the test was positive. If ELISA comes back negative then no further testing is required. Sometimes the test can come back inconclusive, meaning no diagnosis can be made based on the sample that was given. In this case, it is common to take another sample and repeat the test ("HIVinfo source").

There is currently no treatment available that will completely kill the virus. The most that can be done is to merely slow it down or prevent it from replicating itself. The most effective treatment of HIV is combination therapy. This is where the patient takes multiple drugs that combat the virus in different ways. Some of the drugs don't work for all people though. Others can slowly stop working overtime as well. This makes taking medicine for HIV difficult ("How is HIV treated?").

This virus can be prevented though. A little precaution goes a long ways. Practicing safe sex, wearing a condom, is a major way of preventing the spread of HIV. Also, merely making sure your doctors use clean needles, and not sharing things such as razor blades can help prevent the spread of this virus.

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