Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Since the first AIDS cases were reported in 1981, through mid-1991, more than 190,000 AIDS cases and more than 120,000 death had been reported in the United States alone. This is only the tip of the iceberg of HIV infection, however, and of the ultimate toll of the disease. It is estimated that between 1 million and 1.5 million Americans had been infected with the virus by the early 1990s but had not yet developed clinical symptoms. In addition, although the vast majority of documented cases have occurred in the United States, AIDS cases have been reported in about 162 countries worldwide. Sub-Saharan Africa in particular appears to suffer a heavy burden of this illness.

HIV is an RNA RETROVIRUS. Viewed in an electron micros

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lves with contaminated needles. Following infection with HIV, an individual may show no symptoms at all, or may develop an acute but transient mononucleosis-like illness. The period between initial infection and the development of AIDS can vary greatly, apparently from about 6 months to 11 years. Various estimates indicate that somewhere between 26 to 46 percent of infected individuals will go on to develop full-blown AIDS within a little more than 7 years following infection. Once AIDS sets in, the clinical course generally follows a rapid decline; and most people with AIDS die within 3 years. Two major avenues are being pursued by biomedical scientists in the fight against HIV infection and AIDS. One strategy is to develop a vaccine that can induce neutralizing antibodies against HIV and protect uninfected individuals if exposed to the virus itself. The second approach involves the discovery and development of therapeutic agents against HIV infection and AIDS. At present no vaccine exists to protect against infection, although recent advances have led some experts to predict that a vaccine should be available within the next 10 years. Obstacles still remain, however, primarily due to the variability of the virus itself.
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Approximate Word count = 1957
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)

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