Worldwide, over 40 million people are living with HIV infection. However, barriers to diagnosis of this condition have now been weakened by the introduction of a new in vitro diagnostics test, which has found application in north-east England.
There are two main forms of the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 was discovered in 1983 at the Institute Pasteur in Paris, and HIV-2 was first identified among patients in Cameroon in 1985. HIV-2 is less virulent than HIV-1, and does not usually result in full-blown acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); nonetheless, ultimately it is still fatal.
By infecting and gradually destroying the immune system, HIV reduces the body’s protection against cancers, pneumonia and other infections that can take hold and lead to death. Initially, someone living with HIV may not display symptoms of the infection because their immune system can keep it under control, but ultimately drug support will be required. Anti-HIV drugs can help the immune system and keep the HIV infection under control, but it cannot completely rid the body of HIV infection.
Global perspective
Sub-Saharan Africa, is home to just over 10% of the world’s population but to over 60% of all people (25.8 million) living with HIV. In 2005, an estimated 3.2 million people in the region became newly infected, while 2.4 million adults and children died of AIDS. By 2010, an estimated 18 million children in sub-Saharan Africa alone will be orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
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