Pathogen research project

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Pathogen research project
Pathogen refers to anything that causes disease. The term describes infectious agents like virus, fungus, insects, bacteria, and worms among others. These agents interrupt the normal biology of multicellular plants and animals. However, pathogens are also capable of affecting the unicellular organisms. There are various pathways through which pathogens enter the host’s body, (Cash 5). The human body comprises of natural defense systems against common pathogens. These systems include the human immune as well as “helpful” bacteria. Some pathogens are known to cause massive casualties and effects on the victims. Today as medical advances in the form of vaccines, fungicides, and antibiotics are used to guard against infection, pathogens keep threatening human lives. Social advances like water treatment and hygiene have cut down threats from pathogens.
The HIV virus (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) causes HIV Infection. It also causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) over time. The HIV virus thrives best in moist environment9body fluids) inside the host’s body. The virus can also persist for hours or days in a moist surrounding outside the body. The HIV life cycle comprises of seven stages. The first stage is binding whereby the HIV attaches itself the sensory receptors on the opening of CD 4 cell. The second stage is fusion whereby the CD 4 cell membrane and HIV envelope join together. The third stage involves HIV releasing and using its enzymes to change its genetic material, (Cash 6).

HIV the releases integrase to insert its DNA. The fifth stage is replication and it involves making chains of the virus proteins. The sixth stage involves assembling of HIV proteins and RNA. Finally, budding involving the newly made HIV occurs.
HIV is spread by infected blood, semen, breast milk, and vaginal or anal fluids contaminating a person’s bloodstream. HIV virus disrupts the normal working of the body’s defense system thus increasing the chances of an individual getting health problems and other infections. The HIV virus causes AIDS and HIV infection. With AIDS, continuous failure of the defense system gives way to cancers and life-threatening infections to flourish. Aids is already an epidemic with several public health concerns, (Cash 8). The disease continues to cause major deaths in many parts of the world. Socially, the disease has created major discrimination against the victims. The victims are often isolated as people fear being infected. The loss of loved ones to the diseases continues to interfere with the well-being of families. Economically, individuals and countries have spent millions of dollars in trying to control the disease. Such monies could be spent in doing more productive projects that will benefit many people.
People who have been exposed to the disease are encouraged to take antiretroviral drugs. These drugs slow down the progression of the disease. The white blood cell fights off harmful diseases. Vaccines make the body to manufacture enough white cells in order to protect itself from pathogens. HIV mutation occurs inside the CD4 cell. The virus releases and utilizes the reverse transcriptase to change HIV RNA into DNA in a process known as reverse transcription, (Cash 11). This conversion lets HIV get into the nucleus of the CD4 cell and blend with the cell’s DNA. Several hygiene and health practices can help control the HIV virus. Use of sterile needle helps to prevent infection. Safe male circumcision is proven to reduce the risk of a man getting infected. The use of news condoms during sex is effective in controlling the disease.
Work citedCash, Patrick. The HIV Monologues. London, Oberon Books Ltd, 2016,.