The AIDS virus is responsible for 1.8 million deaths every year. Scientists say that they have found a way to disarm the virus, leading to a possible vaccine for AIDS. They have discovered if they eliminate a cholesterol membrane surrounding the virus, HIV cannot disrupt communication among disease-fighting cells and the immune system can return to normal. HIV needs cholesterol to keep its membrane fluid. It gets this cholesterol from the first cells that it attacks. After it infects the first cells, HIV reprograms the immune system, so instead of the cells performing a specific, long-lasting response, the infected cells become hyperactive. This causes the cells of the adaptive immune system to start shutting down. David Graham from John Hopkins University in Baltimore
A vaccine for AIDS will be absolutely amazing for global health. So many people are infected with AIDS, and dying from it. People have been trying for decades for a cure or a vaccine. If this does in fact lead to a vaccine, the improvement in world health would be significantly noteworthy. When you think about how many people are infected with AIDS, it would be great to have a vaccine to prevent it, taking into account that some of those infected are not aware. A cure for those who already have AIDS would be the next step, but I think this is a great start for the advancement in global health.
9-29-2011
2 comments:
Ashley,
I was really happy that you talked about the AIDS virus in your presentation today on World AIDS day. The article you researched seems really promising. However, I believe that more emphasis needs to go in funding medication right now. According to the World Health Organization, 34 million people are living with AIDS and only 7 million are receiving quality treatment. More emphasis on preventive medicine, educational tools to prevent HIV needs to go into effect across the world. I am glad to see articles like these though because it shows where funding is going. There are many people who do not know they have the virus and it is critically important for them to get tested early on.
thanks for sharing!
Anna
AIDS has became one of the most devastating pandemics and it’s taken its effects globally. I was really unaware of how many deaths per year result from AIDS and the HIV virus. Its great to know that our immune systems are strong enough to fight off the powerful viruses such as AIDS. I agree the next big step will be on creating was to cure those already infected with the virus.
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