Infectious Desisies

AIDS

Cause

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and it is the most advanced stage of HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

The HIV targets the immune system and weakens their defence systems against infections and some types of cancer. As the virus destroys and impairs the function of immune cells, infected individuals gradually become immunodeficient, therefore more susceptible to illness. People do not die from HIV, but the illness they catch as a result of weakened immune defences.  

Means of Transmission

HIV can be transmitted via the exchange of a variety of body fluids from infected individuals, such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions. Individuals cannot become infected through ordinary day-to-day contact.

Methods of Control

There is no cure for HIV infection. However, effective treatment with antiretroviral drugs can control the virus so that people with HIV can enjoy healthy and productive lives for many years after contracting the virus. In 2012, more than 9.7 million people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low- and middle-income countries. 

Global Impacts

HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 36 million lives so far.

• There were approximately 35.3 [32.2–38.8] million people living with HIV in 2012.
• Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region, with nearly 1 in every 20 adults living with HIV. Sixty nine per cent of all people living with HIV are living in this region.

Plasmodium (Infected Cell)

Malaria  

Cause 

Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. The causes of the symptoms are that the parasite resides and reproduces in your red blood cells and eventually causes the cell to burst therefore spreading more parasites to other red blood cells and the cycle continues.

Means of transmission

This parasite…