Luc Montagnier, Nobel-Winning passed away
Recently, the virologist who received the Nobel Prize for the discovery of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has passed away.
Luc Montagnier was awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of HIV. HIV infection causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS/AID).
About HIV:
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If left untreated, it can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome).
This virus targets the immune system. It weakens people’s immune system against many infections and some types of cancer diseases. Only a healthy immune system can deal with such infections and cancer diseases.
HIV infection can be caused by one of two retroviruses called HIV-1 or HIV-2. HIV-1 is more widespread in the world.
In the absence of effective medicine, HIV develops in infected people in three stages-
- Acute HIV infection
- Chronic HIV infection
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
HIV can be transmitted through body fluids of an infected person such as blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal and rectal fluid, and breast milk of an infected woman.
Treatment:
- It cannot be controlled (not cured) by a combination of three or more anti-retroviral drugs. But, with this method a person’s immune system can be strengthened and he can regain his potential.
- 21 lakh people in India are infected with HIV. This is the third highest number of total infected people in the world.
Source – The Hindu
