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The evolution of HIV: Do you know what stages an untreated infection goes through?
Research on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), including various medical research related to prevention, treatment and cure of HIV/AIDS. As research deepens, scientists have discovered that the evolution of HIV infection does not occur overnight, but goes through several stages, each with its own characteristics and effects. This information is critical to our understanding of HIV progression and facilitates the development of more effective treatment strategies.
Untreated HIV infection typically progresses through acute, chronic, and AIDS phases.
Acute phase of infection
During the acute phase of HIV infection, which is the first few weeks after infection, the virus rapidly invades and multiplies within the body. At this time, the amount of HIV virus (ie, viral load) in the body increases sharply, while the number of CD4 T cells decreases. Infected people may experience the following symptoms: high fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle pain, and swollen lymph nodes. The acute phase usually begins 2 to 4 weeks after infection and lasts from a few days to a few weeks.
Persistence and invisibility of the chronic phase
After entering the chronic phase, HIV continues to multiply and the viral load usually remains stable for a period of time, but may then rise again. At this point, the number of CD4 T cells will continue to decline. This phase may last 10 to 15 years, and many infected people will not notice any symptoms. Without treatment, the chronic phase will eventually transition to the AIDS phase.
During the AIDS stage, CD4 T cell counts drop significantly to less than 200 cells per cubic millimeter.
Serious consequences of AIDS stage
When an infected person enters the AIDS stage, their immune system is severely damaged and unable to regenerate new T cells, making them extremely vulnerable to infections that they could otherwise fight off. AIDS patients who do not receive comprehensive anti-HIV drug treatment have extremely low survival rates within three years of diagnosis. Patients at this stage are susceptible to other infections that a healthy immune system can easily fight off, but which in AIDS patients can lead to death.
Immune system response to HIV
When the HIV virus sneaks into the human body, the immune system immediately launches a fight against it. Dendritic cells are the first line of defense of the immune system. They patrol in susceptible tissues of the digestive tract and reproductive tract. When they capture HIV, they transport the virus to lymphoid tissues and stimulate the activation and proliferation of specific T cells. , and then launched an attack on HIV.
HIV internal dynamics
The internal dynamics of HIV involve the spread of the virus in the body, the establishment of the incubation period, and the impact of the immune response on the virus. While earlier studies primarily considered cell-free diffusion models, the new study proposes a more realistic model that takes into account direct transfer of the virus from cell to cell.
Characteristics and mutations of viruses
The HIV virus binds to receptors on the surface of immune cells, a process that leads to the fusion of cell membranes. Different HIV variants use different receptors to enter host cells, which is one of the complexities of this viral infection.
HIV/AIDS management and future prospects
Currently, HIV treatment mainly relies on the formulation of antiviral drugs. Researchers are working to mitigate the side effects of current medications, improve medication compliance, and adjust the order of medication to address drug resistance. In addition, vaccine research and development against HIV is still ongoing. Although no effective vaccine has yet been released, relevant clinical trials are ongoing around the world.
The possibility of curing HIV
In recent years, research involving stem cell transplants has shown that in some cases HIV-infected people can be completely cured. Although these cases are still in the minority, and the complexity and high risks of treatment options make them difficult to promote, they bring new hope for HIV cure.
It is currently known that the treatment of HIV still requires the efforts of all parties. Scientific research to find effective vaccines and treatments, especially in the development of vaccines and the provision of new treatments, is still a top priority.
The evolution of HIV is not only the result of scientific exploration, but also reflects its profound impact on public health. Along this challenging road, can we find real solutions that will revolutionize the fate of this virus?
