Once in the human body, the AIDS virus is selectively attached to immune cells, on the surface of which there are CD 4-modululy - it is them that recognizes the virus.
HIV refers to lentiviruses, which are also called "slow viruses" - this means that from the moment of infection until the first symptom (and the more so the syndrome of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) passes a considerable amount of time. Even before the formation of an immune response, viruses can spread throughout the body.
Cells responsible for immunity are gradually affected, with a decrease in the number of lymphocytes-CD4 to a value of 200 / μL and lower, speak of the syndrome of acquired immunodeficiency.
What does the AIDS virus look like?
The structure of the AIDS virus is quite complicated. HIV has a supercapsid of spherical shape, which is formed by a double lipid layer with glycoprotein "spines". On the surface of HIV there are thousands of protein molecules (gp41, gp120, p24, p17, p7). Proteins gp 120 and gp 41 cause the peculiarities of the structure of the AIDS virus - it is with their help that HIV finds and affects its "target" - cells of the human immune system. It was found that the size of the AIDS virus is about 60 times smaller than the diametrical section of the erythrocyte and is 100-120 nanometers.
How long does the AIDS virus last?
The human immunodeficiency virus is viable only in the liquid media of the body. Infecting with HIV infection can be through the blood and its components during transfusion (coagulation factors, frozen plasma, platelet mass). Also, sexual contact (including oral) with an HIV patient is not safe. In saliva, tears, sweat, feces and urine, the HIV content is extremely low - infection is possible only if these fluids contain impurities of blood.
Infection by household means is impossible, since the AIDS virus dies in air for several seconds.
How to protect yourself from HIV?
Unfortunately, a 100% guarantee against AIDS does not give - immunodeficiency viruses can get into the body even with precautionary measures. Often, infection occurs in beauty salons where hygiene requirements (non-sterile instruments) are not respected, as well as when blood and its components are transfused (recently the number of cases has decreased, as donor material has been subjected to mandatory HIV testing).
It is important to refrain from unprotected contacts with unfamiliar partners: the guarantee of their non-infection is the analysis for HIV and STDs, and not "honest word". In manicure salons it is better to take your tools, because besides HIV on non-sterile scissors and tweezers there can be pathogens of hepatitis, syphilis, etc.
How can you get HIV?
Contrary to myths and fears, infection with the immunodeficiency virus is impossible through:
- handshake;
- kiss;
- general food and drinks;
- Mosquito bite;
- use of baths, swimming pools, saunas;
- "Injections" in public places with infected needles (on the surface of the needle the virus quickly dies).
The AIDS virus is not transmitted by sneezing and coughing.
HIV test
The incubation period for HIV infection lasts about 6 months, therefore it is possible to detect the infection only after the expiration of this period from the moment of the alleged infection (transfusion, unsafe sex, injection with an unsterile syringe). The analysis is also necessary if the partner is at risk (extraneous relationships, drug dependence, STDs).