The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus responsible for the progressive degradation of the body’s immune system. It leads to the life-threatening Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDs), resulting in ailments like cancers, tuberculosis, and the development of other opportunistic infections.
On the other hand, Hepatitis B is an infectious disease that results from the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). If left untreated for an extended period, the ailment progresses. It advances to a complicated stage and develops into chronic Hepatitis B.
In this article, let us compare and contrast the two diseases.
Symptoms
HIV Infection:
- Prolonged lymph node and gland swelling
- Sore muscles and joints
- Extreme fatigue and dizziness
- Recurring fevers and night sweat
- Abrupt weight loss
- Pink blotches inside nose, eyelids, and mouth
- Rashes on or under the skin
- Confusion and depression
- Memory loss and other neurological disorders
Chronic Hepatitis B:
- Acute viral hepatitis
- Jaundice
- Chronic liver inflammation
- Fulminant hepatic failure
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting, nausea, and general ill-health
- Body aches and mild fever
- Skin rashes
- Aplastic anemia
Transmission
Both Hepatitis B and HIV infections are Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Although the former is over 50 times more infectious than the latter, their modes of transmission are similar. Some of the are:
- Unprotected copulation
- Body fluid transfusions
- Organ transplants
- Sharing of personal items like towels, razors, toothbrushes
- Placental transmission from affected mother to child
- Re-use of contaminated syringes and needles
- Breastfeeding by infected mother
Working of the Virus
HIV Infection: HIV immediately attacks the Helper T cells, which interact with the other immune cells to fight infections, on entry into the body. It breaks off a vital point of communication between the immune cells, making the body susceptible to numerous diseases. The body is then no longer able to detect and deal with the ailments promptly. It becomes weakened to a great extent, resulting in AIDS.
Hepatitis B: On entry to the body, HBV makes the functional cells of the liver, the hepatocytes, their host. They replicate in these cells, creating more viral DNA and proteins. It leads to the host’s immune response causing hepatocellular damage and viral clearance. It begets interference in liver functions, resulting in severe liver damage.
Treatment
Treatment of both HIV infection and chronic Hepatitis B is possible using Tafero tablets. It blocks the function of the reverse transcriptase enzyme to slow down and reduce HIV replication. Additionally, it controls HBV infection to prevent its multiplication.
