We would like to thank the Healthcare Resource Guide for their help on this article. Without them, we wouldn't have been able to get this up. Thanks, guys!
Detection of the HIV:
WE generally use two methods for HIV detection:
ELISA:
Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay:
This technology uses Enzymes linked to a specific anti body which has specific binding capacity for HIV related Antigens. The HIV infected patients' blood will contain all these retroviral antigens, which would give a positive binding result to the antibodies linked with enzymes. The procedure follows the order explained later. Use the Eppindorf apparatus to load a antigenic serum of the patient to its walls and immobilize them using a gel solution of alginate or collagen. Once the immobilization is complete, change the environment in the tube by washing of the non-immobilized blood; let it dry and then add the HIV specific antibody linked to an enzyme to the apparatus. Now let the mixture stand for an hour or two and then make the second wash removing the unattached antibodies.
The specific attachment is guaranteed by the specific binding affinity of the CD4 receptor on the Antibody-enzyme complex to the gp120 proteins enclosing the HIV.
Now add a substrate specific for the enzyme activity, which after the catalyzed reaction gives a colored product.
Thus a blood sample containing the HIV will give a colored result as a positive sign of presence.
Western Blotting:
This is a simple gel blotting technique, which gives specified result for specific protein presence in a blood sample. For HIV, the protein to be compared by this gel blotting technique is the Capsid protein.
In Gel Blotting a blood sample is treated for presence of certain specific gene sites (identified for the HIV) which are cleaved by certain Endo nucleases and then put on to the Gel Electrophoresis Apparatus in SDS PAGE( Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate- Poly Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis unit). This is then stained with erythridium bromide and observed on a UV observer.
This way a particular blotting the same result is obtained for all kinds of HIV.
Transmission of HIV:
The main reason for HIV transmission is due to Sexual activity. The also other reasons are because of the contact through the following body fluids. Serum, blood, human milk, semen and vaginal secretions. The use of common drugging needles by drug addicts. And transmission from mother to infant child during childbirth. This last transmission can be prevented well in advance if knowledge about the mother's infection is known.
The populations at higher risk to HIV infection are males, homosexuals and bisexuals.
Ways of Prevention and treatment:
Maintaining a known and singular sexual relationship is the greatest prevention. The prevention of foreign blood or body fluid contact and using disposable needles after singular us are the ways to be prevention of HIV.
Mass awareness programs of the HIV infection and it courses are the best way to prevent HIV spread and aware the masses against HIV discrimination.
There is no treatment for HIV/AIDS but with a Lamivudine and Epzicom are some retroviral drugs, which prevent further viral proliferation or slow down the rate of cell metabolism and death by the viruses.
Patients treated for HIV with these vaccines have a life expectance of 10-14 years as compared to normal 4-5 years.