Biology Investigatory Project: Topic
Biology Investigatory Project: Topic
Biology Investigatory Project: Topic
2023-24
BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT
TOPIC: AIDS
SUBMITTED TO:
CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY
EDUCATION
Acute infection
The initial period following the contraction of HIV is called
acute HIV, primary HIV or acute retroviral syndrome. Many
individuals develop an influenza like illness or amono-
nucleosis like illness 2–4 weeks post exposure while others
have no significant symptoms. Symptoms occur in 40– 90%
of cases and most commonly include fever , large tendor
lymph nodes ,throat inflammation , a rash, headache, and/or
sores of the mouth and genitals. The rash, which occurs in 20–
50% of cases, presents itself on the trunk and is
maculopapular , classically. Some people also develop
opportunistic infection at this stage. Gastrointestinal
symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or Diarrhea may occur,
as may neurological symptoms of peripheral neuropathy or
Guillian -Barre Syndrome . The duration of the symptoms
varies, but is usually one or two weeks.
Due to their non -specific character, these symptoms are not
often recognised is signs of HIV infection. Even cases that do
get seen by a family doctor or a hospital are often
misdiagnosed as one of the many common infectious diseases
with overlapping symptoms. Thus, it is recommended that
HIV be considered in people presenting an unexplained fever
who may have risk factors for the infection.
Clinical latency
The initial symptoms are followed by a stage called clinical
latency, asymptomatic HIV, or chronic HIV.
Without treatment, this second stage of the natural history of
HIV infection can last from about three years to over20 years
(on average, about eight years). While typically there are few
or no symptoms at first, near the end of this stage many
people experience fever, weight loss, gastrointestinal
problems and muscle pains. Between 50 and 70%of people
also develop persistent generalized lymphadenopathy
characterized by unexplained, non- painful enlargement of
more than one group of lymph nodes [other than in the groin]
for over three to six months.
Causes of AIDS
The main causes of AIDS is a disorder of cell mediated
immune system of the body. The disorder is
characterized by a reduction in the number of helper.T-
cell which stimulate antibody production by B-cells.
This result in the loss of natural defense against viral
infection.
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 progression 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.
• Sexual transmission
. It
can happen when there is contact with infected sexual
secretions (rectal, genital or oral mucous membranes). This
can happen while having unprotected sex, including vaginal,
oral and anal sex or sharing sex toys with someone infected
with HIV.
• Perinatal transmission
. Themother 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.
AIDS TREATMENT-
Medical treatment of AIDS consists of;