Aids and Hiv Vaccine

AIDS

An HIV/AIDS Vaccine

An HIV/AIDS vaccine to prevent the infection of individuals would change the morality rate in populations.

Every country should participate in a collaboration to develop a vaccine that would prevent the HIV/AIDS disease. A worldwide search for a vaccine to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic has met with extensive efforts of many agencies, companies, governments, medical personnel and leading organizations. The numbers of people that become infected or are infected continue to rise. The case numbers have increased greatly in sub- Saharan Africa and other developing countries. (CDC Vaccine Unit, 2007)

The origins of the virus have mostly been of assumption from several contributors. In such countries, tainted meats, unprotected sex with multiple partners and same sex partners living conditions have been identified as contributors. But as factual origins of the virus is still not known. But, the passing on of the virus to others is. HIV is the Human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS is the Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. "HIV destroys key cells of the immune system and causes AIDS." "AIDS is a set of chronic disorders following infection by HIV, which destroys key cells of the immune system." (Starr and McMillan, glossary) Since, the HIV/AIDS virus discovery mutated strains have been found. With mutation of a virus, the current medication used to treat the virus would become resistant to that

virus, causing the medication to be in effective for treatments. (IAVI, 3) This presents with further complications in creating an efficient vaccine to combat the virus type or strain.

Many programs for the prevention of HIV/ AIDS have been launched in attempts to lower the numbers of new cases. Unfortunately, the programs do not seem to reach the populations they should. Sector collaborates within countries such as Africa, are being reviewed to find alternate answers, as now to further educate this public health problem. Research continues in attempts to find the origin of the virus as well. (AEGIS-UNAIDS) In recent findings, "HIV was linked to a subspecies of chimpanzee." (Altman) The HIV virus has been found in monkeys however, they do not become sick they are carriers. As in countries such as Africa, monkey is a readily available food source for the African community. Especially, for those who live in the deep in land areas. Thus, ingesting infected or tainted meat allows the virus to enter the human system. Although, intravenous drug use and other factors also partake in spreading the disease, eating something infected with the virus can enable the similar infection. "Marilyn a chimpanzee who is now deceased, tissues was used to initiate the find. She lived for approximately 26 years with no signs or symptoms, of the AIDS virus." (Altman) The ability to duplicate the virus from these samples has not occurred as yet.

Several African countries have used clinical studies to look for the possibility of identifying AIDS causes and possible vaccines but, the studies are conducted in small numbers and rely on voluntary participation. In addition, to effectively look at possible treatments a person must have the virus without other illnesses. Appropriate volunteers are not as prevalent as you may expect. (Plos one) Looking for a safe and effective vaccine response is time consuming. The costs of a readied vaccine would be comparable to the medicine maintenance, already in place which is also expensive and does not address

both strains known of the virus. (Omosa) (VAX) Funding is also limited for some areas of HIV/AIDS research.

A further look at other responses to other infectious diseases is also being considered. The response vaccine that was developed for combatting tuberculosis is an example disease upon review. (Chapman) So far a neutralizing antibody has not been developed to enable the production of antibodies that can combat the virus. However, a look at a vaccine that assists in T-cell development is another avenue being considered.

The hopeful outcome would be for the vaccine to prevent the development of the AIDS virus itself. And to have such a vaccine, to be cost effective, efficient and easy to manufacture that a wider range of people can be treated. Small animals have been used as trial subjects. It is the further thought that addressing a need for neutralizing antibodies can be managed through a "mucosal" vaccine. This vaccine in trial animals can be monitored looking at the developing immune cells, which were created after it was administered. A combination of vaccine with a booster seems to provide the necessary response. However, possible side effects were the development of other bacteria's. Environmental causation body immunity, dosing amount to a possible vaccine is noted and, should be considered. (Chapman) The vector based vaccine solution is promising but, safety to humans can be harmful. (Cohen) In Thailand, a study of the same concept was made on human test subjects. The subjects participation was voluntary and at a large number, 16,000. The results are promising battle 31% downsized of the effective findings. But, the necessity to the look of side effects and the length of protection is still needed. (NIAID) Low risk heterosexual persons are the represented group of these tests and dosing is not static for effectiveness. The length of studying and levels of trial phases has already carried over a span of 10 years and is ongoing. (CDC)

Statistical findings of the NYC HIV/ AIDS data has shown that transmission risks have not declined enough to create a substantial change in the number of cases as well. This information further collaborates the necessity for seeking alternative answers for addressing this issue worldwide. The number of children that are affected as a result of the "passing on" of the virus is as a result of breast feeding, unprotected sex creates, inadequate health education, access to medical care all lead to the need for preventive care to reach more people. A more collaborative expansion of countries united instead of sections of countries addressing the epidemic separately would meld all findings into a possible one result that would be more effective. Reporting mechanisms as outlined here, show that all parties are on a similar path of knowing what is need to initiate the step studies of creating a viable vaccine. The interchanging of findings would possibly cut down on the need of time to address a particular avenue to enable the move to another phase.

Army research has also made strides in obtaining knowledge how a vaccine/ booster would assist in