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Question
When is an HIV infected person most likely to show the symptoms of AIDS?
When is an HIV infected person most likely to show the symptoms of AIDS?
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Solution
The correct option is C When HIV damages a large number of helper T lymphocytes
AIDS(Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is caused by a retrovirus HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) that gradually weakens the immune system till it completely collapses. A person suffering from AIDS eventually dies due to opportunistic infections which can occur only when the immunity is compromised.
HIV acts by targeting the cells of the immune system like macrophages and helper T cells and destroys them. Within the host cells, the viral reverse transcriptase enzyme converts the viral genomic RNA into a double stranded DNA which integrates itself into the host genome. The integrated viral DNA directs the host cell to synthesise multiple copies of viral particles which lyse the host cell to be released.
During the first few weeks after infecting an individual, the virus enters and multiplies within the macrophages which merely act as HIV factories. The released viral particles circulate in the blood and lymph and the body starts developing antibodies against the virus. Due to the immune action of the body against the virus, the person might start developing initial flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, bodyache, etc. These symptoms might persist for a few days and then disappear but in the initial 1-2 days the virus is not to multiply to such a large number that it can show effects on the body. Some people might not show these symptoms at all. When considerably high numbers of helper T cells are damaged, the person starts getting serious opportunistic infections with additional symptoms such as rapid loss of weight, fever, chronic diarrhoea, persistent cough, etc.
AIDS(Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is caused by a retrovirus HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) that gradually weakens the immune system till it completely collapses. A person suffering from AIDS eventually dies due to opportunistic infections which can occur only when the immunity is compromised.
HIV acts by targeting the cells of the immune system like macrophages and helper T cells and destroys them. Within the host cells, the viral reverse transcriptase enzyme converts the viral genomic RNA into a double stranded DNA which integrates itself into the host genome. The integrated viral DNA directs the host cell to synthesise multiple copies of viral particles which lyse the host cell to be released.
During the first few weeks after infecting an individual, the virus enters and multiplies within the macrophages which merely act as HIV factories. The released viral particles circulate in the blood and lymph and the body starts developing antibodies against the virus. Due to the immune action of the body against the virus, the person might start developing initial flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, bodyache, etc. These symptoms might persist for a few days and then disappear but in the initial 1-2 days the virus is not to multiply to such a large number that it can show effects on the body. Some people might not show these symptoms at all. When considerably high numbers of helper T cells are damaged, the person starts getting serious opportunistic infections with additional symptoms such as rapid loss of weight, fever, chronic diarrhoea, persistent cough, etc.
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