Difference Between HIV and AIDS: Definition, Types, Examples, Symptoms
It is important to know the difference between HIV and AIDS while studying Health & Diseases in Class 12 Biology. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that weakens the body’s immune system by attacking important cells like T-lymphocytes. This damage makes it harder for the body to fight off viral diseases, bacterial diseases, and even simple infections. HIV spreads through infected blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.
This Story also Contains
- HIV and AIDS
- What is HIV?
- What is AIDS?
- Difference Between HIV and AIDS
- MCQs on HIV and AIDS
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Recommended Video on the Difference Between HIV and AIDS
If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), which is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. AIDS is not a separate virus, but a condition that occurs when the immune system becomes very weak and cannot protect the body. The study of HIV and AIDS also helps us understand key topics in Immunology. This distinction is also important for awareness, prevention, and reducing the spread of the disease.
HIV and AIDS
Although many people use the terms interchangeably, HIV and AIDS are not the same thing. HIV stands for the human immunodeficiency virus, which attacks the human body's immune system. While AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, meaning a state that develops in people who have gone without treatment for HIV. Successful prevention, diagnosis, and treatment depend on a clear distinction between HIV and AIDS.
What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that breaks down the immune system, the CD4 cells, also called T cells play a role in protecting the body from infections. HIV gradually destroys the immune system and thus exposes it to infections and diseases. When left untreated, HIV develops into AIDS, which is termed the last stage of an infection, here, the immune system is completely destroyed. HIV is primarily transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child at birth or through breastfeeding.
Commonly Asked Questions
HIV is particularly challenging for the immune system because it directly infects and destroys the very cells (CD4 T cells) that are responsible for coordinating the immune response. Additionally, HIV mutates rapidly, making it difficult for the immune system to recognize and combat the virus effectively.
HIV specifically targets and destroys CD4 T cells, which are crucial for coordinating the immune response. As these cells are destroyed, the body becomes less able to fight off infections and diseases, gradually weakening the entire immune system.
The main routes of HIV transmission are: unprotected sexual contact with an infected person, sharing needles or syringes with an infected person, from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, and through contaminated blood transfusions (though this is rare in countries with proper blood screening).
The "window period" is the time between potential exposure to HIV and when a test can accurately detect HIV infection. This period varies depending on the type of test used, ranging from about 10 days to 3 months. During this time, a person may be infected with HIV but still test negative, which is why repeat testing is often recommended.
What is AIDS?
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the final stage of HIV infection. This usually occurs when a person's immunity and immune system has been seriously impaired, leaving their body so open to infections and other cancers. The distressing diseases found in people with AIDS can be fatal due to lost immune function. AIDS can be fatal if not treated. If one is living with HIV, antiretroviral therapy or ART can mitigate it by preventing HIV from turning into AIDS.
Commonly Asked Questions
Cytokines are small proteins crucial for cell signaling in immune responses. In HIV infection, there's a dysregulation of cytokine production. Some cytokines can enhance HIV replication, while others may have antiviral effects. The overall imbalance contributes to chronic inflammation and immune activation, which are hallmarks of HIV disease progression. Understanding cytokine dynamics is important for developing potential immunotherapies for HIV.
Viral load refers to the amount of HIV in a person's blood. A higher viral load generally indicates more rapid disease progression and a higher risk of transmission. Effective antiretroviral therapy aims to reduce viral load to undetectable levels, which significantly slows disease progression and greatly reduces the risk of transmission.
Difference Between HIV and AIDS
HIV is a retrovirus that contains RNA as its genetic material. Once it enters the human body, it uses a special enzyme to convert its RNA into DNA, which then gets inserted into the host's cells. Over time, when the immune system becomes extremely weak, the condition progresses to AIDS.The major differences between HIV and AIDS are given below:
Feature | HIV | AIDS |
Full Form | Human Immunodeficiency Virus | Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome |
Definition | A virus that attacks the immune system, specifically CD4 cells. | The final, most severe stage of HIV infection, is where the immune system is severely damaged. |
Cause | Caused by HIV virus | Caused by the progression of HIV |
Effect on the body | Weakens the immune system over time. | This leads to severe immune system damage, making the body vulnerable to infections and cancers. |
Stage | The early stage of infection | Advanced stage of HIV infection |
Symptoms | Mild or absent initially | Severe, including infections and cancers |
Diagnosis | Blood tests detecting HIV | Based on the presence of opportunistic infections |
Treatment | Antiretroviral therapy | Treatment for various opportunistic infections. |
HIV is a potential virus leading to infection, having an initial onset of the disease in which the symptoms might be very mild or even absent commonly diagnosed by blood tests that detect the presence of the virus. Treatment is based on antiretroviral therapy, which would help keep the infection under control from further progress.
The advanced stage is referred to as AIDS. It manifests with very severe symptoms, such as opportunistic infections and cancers. In most cases, a diagnosis of ADS is made in the presence of particular infections or cancers that demand more intensive treatment to manage complications alongside continued ART. Progression from HIV to AIDS thus presents a deterioration in health conditions and immune function.
Commonly Asked Questions
Yes, a person can have HIV without having AIDS. HIV is the virus that causes the infection, and with proper treatment, many people with HIV can live for years without developing AIDS. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection when the immune system is severely damaged.
CD4 T cell count is a key indicator of immune system health in people with HIV. A healthy person typically has 500-1,600 CD4 cells per cubic millimeter of blood. In HIV infection, this number decreases over time. When the count falls below 200, a person is diagnosed with AIDS.
Opportunistic infections are infections that occur more frequently or are more severe in people with weakened immune systems. They are significant in AIDS because as HIV severely damages the immune system, the body becomes vulnerable to infections that wouldn't typically affect healthy individuals. These infections are often indicators that HIV has progressed to AIDS.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) works by preventing HIV from multiplying and spreading in the body. It typically combines different types of drugs that target various stages of the HIV life cycle. While ART doesn't cure HIV, it can reduce the amount of virus in the body to undetectable levels, allowing the immune system to recover and prevent progression to AIDS.
MCQs on HIV and AIDS
Q1. The causative organism of AIDS spreads by
Sharing infected needles and syringes
Transfusion of infected blood
Unsafe sexual relationships
All of these
Correct answer: 4) All of these
Explanation:
The HIV can spread by:
sexual contact with an infected person
by transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products,
by sharing infected needles as in the case of intravenous drug abusers and
from the infected mother to her child through the placenta.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4) All of these.
Q2. In which blood corpuscles, the HIV undergoes replication and produces progeny viruses ?
TH Cells
B–lymphocytes
Basophils
Eosinophils
Correct answer: 1) TH Cells
Explanation:
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) primarily infects and replicates in T-helper cells, which are a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response. HIV specifically targets CD4 receptors on the surface of T-helper cells. Once inside the T-helper cells, the virus replicates and produces progeny viruses, leading to the destruction of T-helper cells and the weakening of the immune system. This is why HIV infection can result in immunodeficiency and increased susceptibility to various infections and diseases.
Hence the correct answer is Option (1) TH Cells.
Q3. Choose the correct option regarding Retrovirus:
An RNA virus that synthesizes DNA during infection
A DNA virus that synthesizes RNA during infection.
An ssDNA virus
A dsRNA virus
Correct answer: 1) An RNA virus that synthesizes DNA during infection
Explanation:
Retrovirus Key Characteristics:
1. RNA Genetic Material: Retroviruses possess a single-stranded RNA genome as their genetic makeup.
2. Unusual Replication: They employ reverse transcription, a distinctive process wherein the RNA is transformed into complementary DNA (cDNA) using the reverse transcriptase enzyme, which inverts the standard DNA to RNA flow of genetic information.
3. Integration: An enzyme named integrase facilitates the insertion of this new DNA into the host cell's genome.
4. Dependence on Host: Obligate parasites are unable to replicate independently, relying on host cells for their reproduction.
5. Notable Examples: Include HIV, the causative agent of AIDS, which specifically targets the human immune system.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1) An RNA virus that can synthesize DNA during infection.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the difference between AIDS and HIV?
HIV is the virus that weakens the immune system, while AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection when the immune system is severely damaged.
Q2. How to cure HIV at the early stage?
There is no complete cure, but early treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) can control the virus and prevent AIDS.
Q3. How long can an HIV patient live?
With proper treatment, an HIV patient can live a long and healthy life, often close to a normal lifespan.
Q4. Is HIV a DNA or RNA virus?
HIV is an RNA virus that uses reverse transcription to make DNA copies in the host cells.
Q5. Who discovered HIV?
HIV was discovered in 1983 by Luc Montagnier and his team at the Pasteur Institute in France.
Recommended Video on the Difference Between HIV and AIDS
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
HIV evades the immune system through several mechanisms: rapid mutation that creates new strains the immune system doesn't recognize, direct infection of immune cells, hiding in "reservoir" cells, and causing chronic immune activation that eventually exhausts the immune system.
Unlike many viral infections that can be transmitted through casual contact, HIV requires direct contact with specific bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk) to spread. It cannot survive long outside the body and is not transmitted through air, water, or casual touch, making its transmission routes more limited but also more preventable with proper precautions.
While HIV primarily affects the immune system, it can also impact other body systems. It can cause neurological problems (HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders), increase the risk of certain cancers, lead to cardiovascular issues, affect bone density, and cause kidney and liver problems. These effects can occur both directly from the virus and indirectly from the chronic immune activation it causes.
HIV's ability to integrate its genetic material into the host cell's DNA is crucial for its persistence. Once integrated, the virus can remain dormant for long periods, creating a reservoir of infected cells that are difficult for the immune system or antiretroviral drugs to eliminate. This integration is a key reason why HIV infection is considered chronic and currently incurable.
Developing an HIV vaccine is challenging because HIV mutates rapidly and attacks the immune system itself. Unlike traditional vaccines that stimulate the production of antibodies against a stable pathogen, potential HIV vaccines need to generate broadly neutralizing antibodies that can recognize many HIV strains. Some approaches also aim to stimulate T cell responses. Current research explores various strategies, including mRNA technology.
"U=U" stands for "Undetectable = Untransmittable." This concept, supported by scientific evidence, means that people with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load through antiretroviral therapy cannot sexually transmit the virus to others. This understanding has significant implications for HIV prevention, treatment, and reducing stigma.
HIV can accelerate certain aspects of aging, a phenomenon sometimes called "premature aging." People with HIV may experience age-related conditions (like cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and cognitive decline) earlier than their HIV-negative peers. This is thought to be due to chronic inflammation and immune activation caused by the virus, even when it's well-controlled by medication.
HIV-1 and HIV-2 are two distinct types of HIV. HIV-1 is more common globally and is responsible for the majority of HIV infections worldwide. HIV-2 is less common and primarily found in West Africa. HIV-2 generally progresses more slowly and is less transmissible than HIV-1. While both can lead to AIDS, they require slightly different approaches to testing and treatment.
Without intervention, HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. However, with proper medical care, including antiretroviral therapy for the mother, the risk of transmission can be reduced to less than 1%. Pregnant women with HIV require specialized care to protect their health and prevent transmission to the baby.
CCR5 is a protein on the surface of certain immune cells that HIV uses as a co-receptor to enter and infect the cell. Some people have a genetic mutation (CCR5-delta32) that makes them resistant to certain strains of HIV. Understanding CCR5's role has led to the development of CCR5 inhibitors, a class of antiretroviral drugs, and has inspired research into potential gene therapy approaches to HIV treatment.
