06 Dec Active immunity is the outcome of the immune system producing antibodies against a disease after being

Active immunity is the outcome of the immune system producing antibodies against a disease after being exposed to the disease organism. Active immunity can be acquired either naturally or as a result of vaccination. When antibodies against a disease are supplied to a person rather than being produced by their own immune system, passive immunity is established (CDC, 2021). Both are acquired differently. For example, an example of active immunity is an individual who recovers from the measles. That individual is now immune from further infections. A mother giving antibodies to a fetus through the placenta and to a child through mother’s milk is an illustration of passive immunity. Proteins called immunoglobulins, which are produced by plasma cells and lymphocytes, are exclusive to these cell types (Justiz et al, 2022).  They are vital to the body’s immune system. There are five molecular classes of immunoglobulins: IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE, and IgD. They all play a specific role. IgM is principally created during the first immune response to pathogens or antigens. The secondary immune response to infections is mostly where IgG is generated. It is the only immunoglobulin that can cross the placenta because its Fc portion may attach to receptors there. The main antibody present in secretions such as saliva, tears, colostrum, intestinal, vaginal, and respiratory secretions is IgA. In addition to providing parasite protection, IgE interacts with high-affinity receptors on mast cells and basophils, resulting in allergic responses. It is regarded as the most crucial host defense against many parasite diseases. Last but not least, IgD has an unidentified role in the defense against infections. It could be crucial for antigen-triggered lymphocyte differentiation (Justiz, 2022). The immune response prevents spread and finally heals the infection because some viral agents need to exit the infected cell in order to propagate.

References

CDC (2021, September 24). Types of immunity to a disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/immunity-types.htm 

Justiz Vaillant AA, Jamal Z, Patel P, et al. Immunoglobulin. [Updated 2022 Sep 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513460/

Describe and discuss transmission, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, treatment, and prevention of HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that is transmitted by sharing the infected body fluids such as blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. Some methods of transmission that facilitate sharing of these body fluids include unprotected sexual intercourse, blood transmission, sharing needles among IV drug users, and vertical transmission to the child from the mother (Showa et al., 2019). Once the virus enters the bloodstream, it adheres to and enters the CD4 cells where it replicates and integrates itself into the host DNA. It continuously destroys the CD4 thus contributing to immunosuppression (Oka et al., 2020). With lowered immunity, an individual’s response to infections in the body is reduced and there is a higher risk of opportunistic infections, chronic illness, and specific malignancies. This informs the clinical manifestations identified in the affected individuals.

The clinical manifestation of untreated HIV / AIDS includes significant weight loss, often accompanied by diarrhea, chronic weakness, and fever. HIV can also cause neurological symptoms such as confusion, forgetfulness, depression, anxiety, and difficulty walking. Other manifestations are related to opportunistic infections that are com