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About hiv viruses
Viruses are a common throughout the whole world, residing in almost any
environment and living in every organism. One way common for virus to
transmit itself is from human to human exposure. A human carrying the virus
can use different modes of transmission to give the virus to another
uninfected human. A popular example of this is the transmission of the
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through sexual contact. Two other
ways include using needles that have been used on an infected individual
and through blood transfusions with a person infected with the HIV virus
(CDC).
A more common way for HIV to spread from human to human is through
sexual contact (CDC). A safe way to reduce the chances of getting HIV during
sexual intercourse is through the use of condoms (CDC). Studies in the
laboratory show that people are not guaranteed immunity from HIV through
condoms, however the chances are greatly reduced (CDC). During sexual
intercourse, closed mouth kissing has shown to have no heightened chances
of acquiring HIV. However, open-mouth kissing raises an issue of being more
detrimental since there is a possibility that the HIV may spread to the
uninfected human's bloodstream; there is however no immediate reports that
this is true but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does warn against it
(CDC).
Human to human HIV transmission is seen through methods of vertical and
horizontal transmission. Vertical transmission occurs through the transmission
of the virus from mother to the newborn child (Ugen et al.). This is a huge
concern since the number of infants dying as a result of getting HIV through
vertical transmission has increased (Ugen et. al). Vertical transmission also
involves the transmission through breast milk because HIV is present in many
body fluids (Parilla). Horizontal transmission is the transmission of a virus
through means of the respiratory tract, fecal-oral route, or even contact of
bodies (Parilla). The most common way for HIV to be spread from human to
human is through blood transfusion or contact of blood from the infected host
to the uninfected host (Donegan). It is imperative for HIV patients to keep
their blood from contact with other humans since HIV lives in the bloodstream
(CDC). Simple contact through open wounds, using syringes and needles
that have already been used, or sharing razors increases the likelihood of
getting HIV (CDC). During transplants of organs that include the heart, liver,
or even kidney, chances of obtaining the HIV virus increase (Donegan). The
use of technological screening and blood tests have decreased the amount of
HIV cases that occur as a result of organ transplants (Donegan).
Viruses, such as HIV in particular, are transmitted more efficiently than other
microorganisms such as fungi, protists, and bacteria. HIV gains a benefit of
not showing any symptoms which allows it to be transmitted from human to
human without the acknowledgment from the uninfected human; the early
stages of the HIV transmission is when the virus is highly contagious
(Colson). Most cases of HIV show signs of the flu in the early stages which
causes humans to believe that they may not have HIV; the key to curing the
HIV virus is to start the treatment as soon as possible (Colson). Other
microorganisms such as fungi, protists and bacteria show physical symptoms
of the diseases they cause. Tinea pedis is known as athlete's foot where fungi
grow on the feet; the symptoms are seen physically which can cause
prevention of transmission from human to human (Goldstein). Malaria,
caused by a mosquito (Anopheles), is a protist disease; this disease can not
be spread from human to human via the respiratory tract or by coming in
close contact with the infected human (Nordqvist). The transmission of
microorganisms from human to human is most effectively done through
viruses. Specific viruses such as HIV make it impossible to detect their
transmission because they are symptom free; this allows them to infect
humans rapidly and effectively.
Colson, Amy E., and Paul E. Sax. "Symptoms of HIV Infection." UpToDate
Inc. 7 Aug. 2009. Web. 03 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.utdol.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~0644/sdiavih3>.
Donegan, Elizabeth. "Transmission of HIV by Blood, Blood Products, Tissue
Transplantation, and Artificial Insemination." HIV InSite Gateway to HIV and
AIDS Knowledge. University of California, San Francisco, Oct. 2003. Web. 05
Apr. 2010. <http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/InSite?page=kb-07-02-09>.
Goldstein, Adam O., and Beth G. Goldstein. "Ringworm (including Athlete's
Foot and Jock Itch)." UpToDate Inc. 22 Sept. 2009. Web. 06 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.utdol.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~vIsWcU_CUg6zi&
selectedTitle=1~18&source=search_result#H3>.
"HIV and Its Transmission | Factsheets | CDC HIV/AIDS." Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Web. 05 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/transmission.htm>.
Nordqvist, Christian. "What Is Malaria?" Medical News Today: Health News.
MediLexicon International Ltd, 20 May 2009. Web. 04 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150670.php>.
Parilla, Jessica. "Transmission of Pathogens and Biological Control." Biology
3880. Georgia State University. 5 April 2010. Lecture
Ugen, Kenneth E., Vasantha Srikantan, James J. Goedert, Robert P. Nelson
Jr., William V. Williams, and David B. Weiner. "Vertical Transmission of
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1: Seroreactivity by Maternal Antibodies
to the Carboxy Region of the Gp41 Envelope Glycoprotein." The Journal of
Infectious Diseases 175.1 (1997): 63-69. JSTOR. Web. 5 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.jstor.org/pss/30129994>.