If we can cure people of various diseases, like malaria and hepatitis C, why can’t we cure HIV?
The reason that HIV can’t be cured and other diseases can be cured is because of its behavior. The difference between Hive and other diseases is that HIV integrates into the host’s genome. The virus hides out in a “safe place” where the current drugs cannot reach it. It hides in the healthy T cells of a human, which causes most T cells to die soon after infection. Even if the whole HIV is taken out from an infected person, one of the infected T cells could still come back.
What lessons can we learn from other diseases and apply to HIV/AIDS?
We can learn to achieve disease elimination and eradication. There has to be sufficient research to come up with essential prevention tools like vaccines, diagnostics, and upgrading public health infrastructure and awareness. Another lesson we can learn is that there is a need for integrated health systems for effective disease control measures to be put in place. Public engagement and awareness should be improved to promote knowledge of HIV so that the spread can be reduced.
Why is HIV/AIDS so unique?
HIV is unique is because of its method of infection. HIV infects cells, which are a vital part of the immune system. The virus attacks the helper T cells, which primarily help to protect the body against fungal and bacterial infections. However, HIV is a genetic code that can dictate its genetic code into the genome of infected cells, prompting them to make more copies of itself. HIV occurs in stages where the T cells are infected slowly, and they also wear out gradually. When Tells, become too weak, patients with the virus are prone to getting a deadly infection that the immune system cannot adequately handle. That stage of infusion is known as AIDS.