How is the HIV virus generated?
Jun 20, 2019
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Tansheng
Introduction
HIV, also known as the human immunodeficiency virus, originally circulated among chimpanzees before crossing over to humans. It spreads primarily through sexual contact, mother-to-child (vertical) transmission, and exposure to infected blood or blood products.
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), also known as the AIDS virus, originally circulated among chimpanzees before crossing over to humans. It spreads primarily through sexual contact, mother-to-child (vertical) transmission, and exposure to contaminated blood or blood products.
In summary, HIV does not arise spontaneously. For instance, if two healthy individuals—neither of whom carries HIV—engage in sexual intercourse, neither will contract HIV. However, unprotected sexual contact with an HIV-positive individual carries a risk of transmission. To date, there is no definitive cure for HIV/AIDS; current treatment relies on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to suppress viral replication, slow disease progression, enhance immune function, and prolong survival.
Additional Information
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is a virus that impairs the human immune system. HIV was first identified in the United States in 1981. It is a lentivirus—a subgroup of retroviruses—that specifically infects cells of the human immune system.
On October 27, 2017, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), published its updated list of carcinogens. HIV type 1 infection was classified as a Group 1 carcinogen (carcinogenic to humans), while HIV type 2 infection was placed in Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans).
