Olena Bychkovska

Classification Paragraph

HIV TYPES

Although AIDS is a disease without cure and researchers still argue about its exact natural history and causes, it is widely accepted to distinguish between two types of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which are plainly called HIV type 1 (HIV -1) and HIV type 2 (HIV-2). The first type, HIV-1 is predominant and usually is being referred to when speaking about HIV. Most scientists believe that HIV-1 can be classified into a major group (Group M) and a few minor groups, each of which can also be divided into subgroups. All of the groups represent different kinds of transmission [1]. The other type, HIV-2 has not been commonly discovered outside of Africa. In 2010, 8 groups of this virus were recognized, only two of which are epidemic (Group A and B). Group B is mainly found in West Africa, while Group A is also spread to other countries such as India, Angola, Mozambique, Brazil, and rarely can be seen in Europe or the United States of America. Probably HIV-2 is not as easily transmittable as HIV-1 and has a longer time period between the infection and illness itself (AIDS). Recognition of these two types provides the world’s medical community with more sufficient understanding of the human immunodeficiency virus and the disease its causes [2; 3].

List of References:

1. HIV Types, Groups and Subtypes. - Official web-site of AVERT. - Available from: <http://www.avert.org/hiv-types.htm> - Title from the screen.
2. Sharp P. M., Hahn B. H. Origins of HIV and the AIDS Pandemic [Electronic resource] / P. M. Sharp, B. H. Hahn. - Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine. - 2011. - Vol. 1, Iss. 1. -  Available from:  <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22229120>
3. McNeil D. G. Jr. Precursor to HIV Was in Monkeys for Millennia [Electronic resource] / D. G. Jr. McNeil  -  New York Times, 2010. - Available from: <http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2009/08/03/hiv-africa.html>

Contrast and Comparison Paragraph

 

HIV vs. AIDS

HIV and AIDS are broadly discussed in the global society; however, people often confuse these two absolutely different terms and the phenomena that those terms represent. HIV, which can be understood as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that infects a human being. A person can be infected (HIV-positive) if her or his organism starts to produce antibodies, or not infected with HIV (HIV-negative), if no antibodies are detected. Nevertheless, if the person is infected, the HIV can have a long incubation period, which means that it would not manifest itself through symptoms in any way that the diseases manifest themselves. The cure for HIV had not yet been found [1]. Unlike HIV, AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is not a virus, but rather a medical condition, a syndrome, a definition to describe the diseases and its symptoms that are associated with HIV’s immune system oppression. People are not infected with AIDS; nevertheless, they develop supporting diseases since their HIV-infected body’s immune system is weak and not capable of opposing those diseases. Just as HIV, AIDS is not curable yet; nonetheless, are many scientists are working on HIV/AIDS cure worldwide [2]. Therefore, understanding even the basic differences between HIV and AIDS is not only an ethical and common knowledge issue, but also one of personal security and well-being. 

List of References:

1. What is HIV? - Official web-site of AIDS.gov. - Available from: < http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/what-is-hiv-aids/>. - Title from the screen.
2. What is AIDS? - Official web-site of AVERT. - Available from: < http://www.avert.org/aids.htm> - Title from the screen.