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As you sit here today, in this university hall, it means you have dedicated time to hear and understands various concepts and information bout the human immunodeficiency virus abbreviated as HIV. Different information goes around the world related to HIV, which originates from mythical and scientific perspectives, which could be confusing to many of us here today. However, being here today can offer you vital information about HIV, which currently the whole world and yet countries lack the specific cure; hence my focus is to inform you of this infection. Now, an international team of researchers led by Oxford University has found that children in South Africa infected with HIV, whose body can resist the disease progressing, could help lead the way to the new treatment.
To inform you of this, HIV exists as a virus that weakens the immune system of the infected individuals hence resulting in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome abbreviated as AIDS. HIV weakens the body’s immune system by attacking the T cells, also known as CD4 helpers leading to the body having limited chances to fight some of the infections. When HIV remains untreated, some of the common diseases, such as a common cold, can be severe. HIV not only attacks the CD4 cell but also use these cells in multiplication in numbers. Until the entire world still lacks the specific antiviral for HIV as affirmed by various institutions such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Still, antiretroviral therapy exists (ART) to control the virus through its multiplication rates in infected individuals. One of our research work conducted by the university shows that the progress of HIV in children is quicker as compared to adults. Moreover, Philip Goulder of Oxford stated that 60% of children without treatment would die within the first 2 and a half years, but the children in South Africa have been living with HIV with no progression of the disease.
As per now, you should be aware that Adults do not have the same immune activation levels as children. For example, recent studies by scientists from this university posit that a child’s immune system doesn’t attack the virus. In contrast, in an adult’s body, the immune system would try to fight off the infection causing the virus to progress. As a result, the activation of the immune system after taking ARTs it never the same in children and adults.
The testing of HIV plays a significant role in the individual’s health. When someone finds that she or he is a positive early stage of infection, taking the ARTs prevents HIV from advancing to AIDS. Professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine, John G. Bartlett, explains that antiretroviral therapy began with the first clinical trial of zidovudine that was conducted in 1986. Based on this fact, the U.S. National Library of Medicine/ National Institutes of Health recommends taking off the ARTs immediately after infection.
Finally, not only can individuals get infected and spread to healthy individuals, but also t can be prevented using the various mechanism. In some cases, the child can be born with HIV in which they get infected during the delivery process, which allows the mixing of the body fluids of the child and mother. Based on data from aids.gov, a high percentage of HIV infections occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse as well as sharing syringes and needles among the drug users. The organization explains that kissing and utensil sharing have limited chances of spread of HIV. However, HIV can be prevented through creating awareness, abstinence, avoiding unprotected sex, and sharing of the needles among drug users as well as taking care to avert fluid mixing during deliveries.
Conclusion
To conclude, the rate of infection and spread of HIV increase day by day across the world; hence the absence of antiviral would lead more victims. Based on the result of various research work by the University of Oxford, HIV can get controlled and prevented despite lacking cure. So, ladies and gentlemen, it is high time to observe measures for preventing the spread of HIV since it takes individual responsibilities that get reflected in the entire world not only in the united states.