Question

Which one of the following statements is correct with respect to AIDS?
A) Drug addicts are least susceptible to HIV infection
B) AIDS patients are being fully cured 100 percent with proper care and nutrition
C) The causative HIV retrovirus enters helper T-lymphocytes thus reducing their numbers
D) The HIV can be transmitted through eating food together with an infected person

Answer 1

AIDS stands for Acquired immune deficiency Syndrome. It affects the immune cells of our body which leads to a weakened immune system. It is a viral disease that is transmitted through infected body fluids.

Complete answer:
AIDS is a retroviral disease that is caused by the Human Immune Virus. This virus affects the immune system and weakens it. The cells of the immune system include WBCs, lymphocytes etc. The HIV virus affects the CD4 lymphocytes which are also known as helper T-cells. The HIV virus gets inside the lymphocytes and makes its copies thus reducing the number of T-cells. This leads to the reduced capacity of the immune system to fight against diseases. (Statement C is correct).

AIDS is spread by the body fluids like semen, infected blood transfusion or sharing syringes. The body fluids can be blood, semen or vaginal fluid. It does not spread by eating together or shaping hands. There is no cure for AIDS. The symptoms can be managed by anti-viral drugs but cannot be fully cured. Proper diet and nutrition help in boosting the immune system as HIV weakens it. (Statement D and B are incorrect).

The drug addicts take some of the drugs intravenously which can lead to the spread of the disease and also the drug addicts are involved in unprotected sex which can lead to AIDS. (Statement A is incorrect)

Thus, the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: The spread of AIDS can be prevented by using single-use syringes, protections like condoms during sexual intercourse and avoiding multiple sexual partners. People with AIDS are more vulnerable to infections and diseases as the immune system is challenged.