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HIV Virus in the bloodstream

What is HIV?
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), destroys T-cells (White Blood Cells), which are critical to your immune system. T-cells are responsible for keeping you healthy from common diseases and infections. As HIV gradually weakens your natural defenses, you start to becoming very susceptible to common viruses. The HIV virus can be transmitted sexually or by the use of blood products through unclean infected needles.

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV

AIDS
  • HIV is a virus that attacks the Immune System
  • If left untreated, it may take 10-15 years until the person's immune system can no longer work at all.
  • The HIV virus makes copies of itself inside T-Helper Cells, also known as CD4 cells.
  • An antiretroviral treatment is the best option and can allow those who are infected to live a normal, healthy life.
  • HIV cannot be transmitted from saliva, urine, or sweat.(Avert.org) 
  • AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency System.
  • AIDS is a set of symptoms caused by the HIV virus.
  • A person is diagnosed with AIDS when their White Blood Cell count drops below 200 cells/ml of blood, the normal range of White Blood Cells is around 4,000 to 11,000 per microliter of blood.
  • When the immune system can no longer fight off viruses, this is the last stage of the virus and if left untreated will lead to death. (Avert.org)
HIV Antiviral Drug: Raltegravir (raltegravir potassium, RAL)
- Raltegravir is an Integrase inhibitor, which means it blocks HIV integrase, an enzyme that HIV needs to make copies of itself. It is from the brand Isentress HD. This specific drug was developed on May 26, 2017. This medication helps decrease the amount of HIV in the blood (viral load). It works by blocking the enzyme HIV integrase which is a key part of what the virus needs to multiply. When this medication is used with other antiretroviral medications, it helps build the immune system back up by reducing the amount of HIV located in the blood and increasing the number of T-cells.


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2017 HIV Drug Chart (POZ)