HIV/AIDS
The virus that causes AIDS is known as HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus. It can be
transmitted by sexual contact, syringe sharing, or from mother to child during childbirth or
breastfeeding. There has been extraordinary progress in the fight against AIDS cases and
AIDS deaths. HIV is still one of the deadliest and most pliable diseases known to man. HIV
targets the immune system by killing CD4+ T cells, a kind of white blood cell that is essential
for infection defence. People with untreated HIV may become more susceptible to life-
threatening illnesses which may eventually lead to death. Fever, headache, rash, and diarrhea,
weight loss, persistent diarrhea, and skin cancer are some of clinical symptoms of the virus
Nowadays, HIV-positive people can live long, healthy lives because of the powerful anti-HIV
drugs. These prescribed medications, taken daily, known as antiretroviral therapy (ART), can
reduce the amount of virus in the blood to a level so low that it cannot be detected by
common testing when taken as directed.
Question: What approaches has scientist taken to develop the HIV vaccine?
Monkeypox
The monkeypox virus belongs to the Orth poxvirus genus, which also includes the variola
virus, vaccinia virus, and cowpox virus. Monkeypox is comparable to smallpox but far less
dangerous. The virus was first detected in 1958 in two outbreaks of smallpox-like disease in
monkeys In The virus is categorized as a category A pathogen, posing the greatest threat to
national security and public health. Human-to-human transmission of monkeypox results
from direct contact with body fluids, trauma, and contact with contaminated clothing
Alternatively, animal-to-human transmission can be caused by bites or scratches. Pre
-symptoms of monkeypox infection are fever, headache, body pain, malaise, and swollen
lymph nodes. There is currently no available treatment for monkeypox virus infection. There
are, however, antiviral drugs that can be used to treat smallpox and other illnesses that may
benefit patients infected with monkeypox (National institute of allergy and infectious
disease ,2022).
Question: What medication has the NIAID approved to treat small pox?
Influenza
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses that
infect the nose, throat and lungs. Most individuals recover from the flu within two weeks, but
some may develop serious consequences such as pneumonia. Pandemic influenza occurs
when a novel flu virus strain emerges that can quickly spread from person to person and
against which most individuals have no immunity. Seasonal influenza sickens millions of
people each year, resulting in thousands of persons being hospitalized and thousands of flu-
related deaths. Flu infection can be especially dangerous for young children, the elderly, and
pregnant women. The NIAID is also prepared for a potential pandemic flu danger, as the
virus may quickly transmit from person to person. Flu viruses of this type can infect millions
of people worldwide (National institute of allergy and infectious disease ,2022).
Question: What new method is NIAID using to treat and prevent influenza?
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious disease caused