HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that targets and attacks CD4 cells (CD4 T lymphcytes), a component of the body's immune system. Because HIV attacks the body's immune system, those carrying HIV become more suseptable to other infections and diseases, ranging form tuberculosis to some cancers.
HIV is transmitted through the contact and/or exchange of bodily fluids, most commonly through unprotected sex (sex without the use of a condom or HIV preventative medication). HIV can also be transfered via infected breast milk, blood, semen, and vaginal fluid. Its important to note that HIV is not an airborn or food-born illness and cannot spread through casual conduct, like hugging, kissing, or conversing.
Although HIV is incurable, it can be treated by antiretroviral therapy (ART), which consists of a combination of HIV medications ranging from daily pills to scheduled injections. ART reduces the presense of HIV in the bloodstream by preventing HIV from multiplying, making it highly unlikely for HIV to be transmitted and advancing to AIDS.
If left untreated, HIV can develop into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is diagnosed when CD4 count decreases to less than 200 cells/mm3 or there is a detection of certain opportunitistic infections. Without intervention of HIV medication, people diagnosed with AIDS have a life expectancy of around 3 years. Regardless of CD4 cell levels, once diagnosed with a dangerous opportunistic infection, the person's life expectancy decreases to about 1 year.
Drug Resistance
As HIV begins to multiple, there is risk of mutation. Once the genetic structure of HIV changes, it has the ability to live in the presence of antiretroviral drugs. Drug resistance can be transmitted at infection or through previous treatments that have been terminated. All retroviral drugs, when administered, are at risk for becoming partially or totally useless in the treatment of HIV that has become drug-resistant, hence jeopardizing its efficacy.
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) is the most common drug class to be resisted. 10% of adults starting ART NNRTI resitance, and is 3 times more common in people who have been exposed to antiretroviral drugs. The high levels of NNRTI resistance worldwide emphasizes the need for affordable ART and counseling, namingly in third-world countries.
Progress
Fortunately, organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) have been promoting dolutegravir-containing regimens both for adults and children. Multiple countries usage of dolutegravir-containing regimens have show a decrease in HIV levels in the blood and has been little development of drug resistence.
Citations
“Fact Sheet: HIV Drug Resistance.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization,
17 Nov. 2022, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-drug-resistance.
“HIV and AIDS.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 13 July 2023,
“HIV and AIDS: The Basics.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, 25 June 2023, hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and
“What Are HIV and AIDS?” HIV.Gov, 13 Jan. 2023, www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about
hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids/. Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board