Answer:
HIV/AIDS, resulting from the infection of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), specifically attacks CD4+ T cells, which are essential for the immune system's functioning. This leads to a range of symptoms that start with flu-like sickness and eventually advance to a severe state of weakened immunological response known as AIDS. HIV circumvents the immune system by using high mutation rates, latency, and direct eradication of immune cells. The immune system first activates cytotoxic T cells and produces antibodies, but gradually becomes less effective. Presently, the available therapies consist of long-term administration of antiretroviral medication (ART) to control the amount of virus in the body and preventive methods such as PrEP and PEP. Novel therapies include gene editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9, gene therapy targeting CCR5, nanotechnology for precise medication administration, and advancing vaccinations and broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) for sustained management and possible eradication.
