Welcome back!
Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a lentivirus a part of the retrovirus family. Lentivirus derived from the Latin word “Lenti” meaning slow. Retroviridae family of viruses is characterized by a long incubation period. Lentiviruses can deliver a significant amount of genetic information into the DNA of the host cell, they are considered as one of the most effecient methods of a gene delivery vector. It relies on reverse transcriptase to perform reverse transcription of its genome from RNA to DNA for insertion by intergrase into host genome. The virus itself is just a storage form for its DNA; the reverse transcription takes place in the host’s cytosol. Inside our cell is a large fluid space called cytoplasm also known as cytosol.
Current treatment for HIV infected individuals consist of highly active antiretroviral therapy or HAART. It has been considered effective since its introduction. Other HAART cocktail consist of at least three drugs belonging to at least two types of antiretroviral agents.As HIV reproduces itself, variants of the virus emerge, including some that are resistant to antiretroviral drugs. This finding pusheddoctors to recommend the use of combined antiretroviral drugs also known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy. This approach in containing the damage brought by the HIV virus to the HIV positive person has been proven to have effectively suppressed the virus when rigemen is followed strictly.
These HAART regimens have proven to reduce th amount of active virus and in some cases lower the number of active virus until it is undetectable by current blood testing techniques.
Learn more, treatment for hiv
It has revolutionized how people with HIV infections are treated. HAART works by suppressing the virus and decreasing the rate of opportunistic infections. The aim of HAART is to keep the amount of HIV at low level. This stops any weakening in the immune system and allows it to recover from any damage that the virus might have caused already. Taking HAARTmay cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea and vommitting. Moreover it could also result into a more serious medical problems including metabolic changes and bone loss. These complex reaction to the treatment varies as each individual is unique. Hence, it is highly recommended to talk to your doctor before deciding when to start doing the necessary treatment. Thus,it is important to take into account both the benefits and and potential risks of any currently available regimens before starting a AIDS therapy.
