What is HIV

Page 329
Black blue
HIV AND CANCER
329
HIV AND AIDS
This section examines the history of HIV, what HIV is and how it is transmitted. It then
evaluates the role of psychology in understanding HIV in terms of attitudes to HIV and
AIDS, susceptibility to HIV and AIDS, progression from HIV to AIDS and longevity. A
detailed discussion of condom use in the context of HIV and AIDS can be found in
Chapter 8.
The history of HIV
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) was identified as a new syndrome in
1981. At that time, it was regarded as specific to homosexuality and was known as
GRIDS (gay-related immune deficiency syndrome). As a result of this belief a number of
theories were developed to try and explain the occurrence of this new illness among
homosexuals. These ranged from the suggestion that AIDS may be a response to the
over-use of recreational drugs such as ‘poppers’ or to over-exposure to semen, and they
focused on the perceived lifestyles of the homosexual population. In 1982, however,
AIDS occurred in haemophiliacs. As haemophiliacs were seen not to have lifestyles
comparable with the homosexual population, scientists started to reform their theories
about AIDS and suggested, for the first time, that perhaps AIDS was caused by a virus.
Such a virus could reach haemophiliacs through their use of Factor VIII, a donated blood
clotting agent.
The HIV virus was first isolated in 1983. However, there is debate as to whether this
was achieved by Gallo in the USA or/and Montagnier in France. Both these researchers
were looking for a retrovirus, having examined a cat retrovirus that caused leukaemia
and appeared to be very similar to what they thought was causing this new illness. In
1984, the Human Immuno-Deficiency virus type 1 (HIV 1) was identified, and in 1985
HIV 2 was identified in Africa.
What is HIV?
The structure of HIV
The HIV virus is a retrovirus, a type of virus containing RNA. There are three types of
retrovirus: oncogenic retroviruses which cause cancer, foamy retroviruses which have no
effect at all on the health status of the individual, and lentiviruses, or slow viruses, which
have slow long-term effects. HIV is a lentivirus.
The HIV virus is structured with an outer coat and an inner core. The RNA is situated
in the core and contains eight viral genes, which encode the proteins of the envelope and
the core, and also contains enzymes, which are essential for replication.
The transmission of HIV
In order to be transmitted from one individual to the next, the HIV virus generally needs
to come into contact with cells that have CD4 molecules on their surface. Such cells are
Page 329
Black blue