Biology of STDs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Biology of STDs - Essay Example permit us first examine an STD that cadaver a frightening epidemic and is usually a vague death sentence It is estimated that 14 jillion people worldwide are infected with human immunodeficiency virus, and there were 2.5 million documented AIDS cases in early 1993 (Nye 1). HIV attacks the casing of lymphocyte known as jockstrap T cells. (Mader 908) HIV (human immuno deficiency syndrome) is a member of the retrovirus family. It is called a retrovirus be practise it is in a class of viruses which literally imbed themselves into host DNA. It is important to note that any virus that alters DNA can also cause cancer. The altering of host DNA is done when the viral RNA undergoes a process which is almost opposition to DNA and RNA transcription in normal cell division. This snarf process works when an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes is used by the viral RNA to produce a DNA strand. It is this strand that finally becomes part of host DN A. When that host DNA is whence transcribed into viral proteins from mRNA, the virus essentially is then a part of the host DNA. Once this takes place, the virus begins affecting the hosts immune system. The HIV virus binds to markers on immune system cells called CD4 markers.Once an individual is infected with HIV, their immune system is progressively annihilated by the virus. The paradox of HIV is that while the immune system cells effectively destroy virus particles, the virus continues to multiply itself such that more viral particles are produced. In addition, the immune system continues to destroy cells infected by the virus but more cells are then produced as replacements. This continues until the patient does not regenerate as many immune system cells such as T cells. Eventually, the patient becomes infected with something as simple as the common cold or flu and does not lay down the immune system capabilities to hold it off. This often results in death. There are in fa ct three stages to AIDS. They are referred to as categories A-C. From the beat of infection through year 1 is represented as category A. This is a time of teensy to no symptoms, but the spreading the disease through sexual activity to others is likely. Category B is characterized by flu like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes and herpes-like outbreaks. This period lasts about 8 years. It is during category C that patients are considered to have full blown AIDS and typically fall victim to infections that become lethal. There are refreshful drugs on the market that AIDS patients can take to prolong their life span to some degree. not all sexually transmitted diseases are as aggressive and life threatening as HIV and AIDS but can still cause irreparable damage to the patient. An example of this is herpes. This virus remains in the body indefinitely. There are two types of Herpes. Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus 2. The fist kind of herpes is usually responsible for cold sores while the type 2 form causes genital lesions or genital herpes. Type 2 herpes is more disunite and also less common. Type one herpes is spread through mucous membranes when infected partners rent in oral sex. The herpes virus usually takes between 4 and 10 days to incubate. In occurrences of breakouts, lesions form which fill with fluid. This fluids content is cells which have been infected with the virus as well as incendiary cells. The fluid