JSU237H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Bone Density, Reverse Transcriptase, Hiv Vaccine
Document Summary
Lecture 4: fighting the virus: treatment, vaccines & activism. Originally treatment was targeted towards the secondary disease aids, but none for hiv. Azt (1987): first antiretroviral medication for people with hiv; only extended their life but did not fully cure them. Azt is a reverse-transcriptase inhibitor; therefore the medication did not work. Inhibits the enzyme hiv uses to synthesize dna. Post 1986, haart (highly active antiretroviral therapy), combination, cocktail . Currently 31 drugs are available in 6 classes. Fusion inhibitors (virus won"t be able to fuse into cell membrane) Entry inhibitors (typically blocking cd4 or ccr5 antagonists) At least 3 medications from at least 2 drug classes are used by hiv regiments. These pills are often combined into one pill. Lipodystrophy (dysregulation of fat i. e. sunken cheeks, fat bump on back) Treatment as prevention: community level theory that involves getting everyone into treatment will further enhance the community. Multiple clinical in uganda, kenya and south africa.
