HLTC05H3 Lecture Notes - Social Stratification, Subclinical Infection, Rock Hudson
Document Summary
Lecture 9 hiv/aids and the global system (baer et al. Caused by 3 types of rna retrovirus of lentivirus family called hiv (hiv-0, hiv-1 [global] and hiv-2 [localized to west. Africa]), producing defects in immune system: loss of lymphocytes, impairment of t cells. Subclinical infection with endemic diseases that tend to activate the immune system (eg, tb, malaria) appear to accelerate its expression. Results in opportunistic infections, pneumocystis pneumonia, kaposi"s sarcoma, cytomegalovirus, yeast infections, cervical cancer, tb, etc. Success due to: virus" ability to use cell"s protein-synthesizing abilities to generate new viruses, extensive variability in its genetic structure (helping to evade detection and destruction by immune system) Risk groups: homosexual men, intravenous drug users, prostitutes, women (& children), tb patients, prisoners, the impoverished. 60 million people infected with hiv since early 1980s. 30 million have died high mortality rate: we have been able to control the rates of infections since the late 1990s.
