Question

1. How does HIV infection affect the body?

2. How is HIV transmitted, diagnosed and treated.

3. What are the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment for the other major Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)/Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)?

4. What are the strategies for protecting yourself against STIs/STDs?

Answer 1

1. In human body CD4+T cells play important role in immunity. They are essential as they are required for signalling to other immune cells such as CD8 killer cell. HIV-1 virus attach with the CD4 with the help of a protein called gp120.. gp120 is a protein of viral envelop. Once HIV-1 virus destroys the CD4 cells, general immune system of body becomes very weak and can be easily infected by other pathogens.

2. HIV generally transmitted through blood, semen or by interation with vaginal fluid. In general HIV do not have any symptoms. However, in some cases they can show flu like symptoms or in severe cases rapid weight loss or fever. The presence of HIV-1 virus is detected in blood by checking the presence of HIV-1 specific anibody. As a treatment opition, antiretroviral therapy is used. Antiretroviral therapy uses a combination of medicine which helps to reduce the number of viruses inside human body. As there will be less number of virus, there will be more chance of increasing CD4 and increasing immunity.

3. one of the major STDs is Chlamydia infection. Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Symptoms of chlamydia includes dicharge from vagina and a burning sensation. In male other symptoms like inflammation of testicles also included. Additionally in females they are also responsible for infection of pelvic area. This is one of the major sexually transmitted disease and increases the risk of other STDs like gonorrhea, HIV or inflammatory disease of pelvic area. Treatment of Chlamydia includes antibiotic like azithromycin or doxycycline.

4. to avoid STIs or STD diseases several prevention can be taken. Such as-

practicing safe sex and use of condoms.

not to share undergarments or towel.

avoiding sharing needle

cotrol of alcohol consumption.