Read the text again. Answer these questions.

1. What kinds of germs can be found in air, soil and water? What group of diseases do they cause?

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2. How are bacterial skin infections manifested?

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3. What harmful effects do foodborne and waterborne infections produce?

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4. What group of infectious diseases is dangerous for the human reproductive system?

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5. What class of medicines is recommended to deal with bacterial diseases? What does their misuse result in?

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6. How does any virus affect the body?

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7. What are the most frequently diagnosed viral diseases? What are their general symptoms?

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8. What group of medications is effective against some specific viruses?

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9. What is the role of vaccines in the prevention of the spread of infections globally?

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10. When are antibiotics included in the treatment of viral diseases?

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8. What facts can you present to your group about:

Infectious diseases, ways of transmission of infectious illnesses, bacterial skin infections, foodborne and waterborne infections, sexually transmitted diseases, antibiotics, viral diseases, antiviral drugs, vaccines?

Date _______________________ Signature _____________________

Self-study section №8: “AIDS”

Warm-up

Complete the following table by filling in transcription and translation.

Reading

Read the text.

AIDS

AIDS is the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome caused by HIV - human immunodeficiency virus. HIV severely damages the immune system, the body's most important defense against diseases.

The first cases of AIDS were first identified in 1981 in the United States. The cause of AIDS was discovered by two researchers: in 1983 by Luc Montagne in France and 1984 by Robert Gallo in the USA.

AIDS is caused by two viruses that belong to a group called retroviruses. There are two strains of HIV: HIV-1, which causes AIDS and HIV-2, which occurs mainly in Africa.

HIV infects certain white blood cells, including T-helper cells and macrophages that play key roles in the immune system. HIV enters CD4 cells and inserts its own genes into the cell's reproductive system. The cell then produces more HIV, which spreads to other CD4 cells. So the infected cells die. The immune system produces millions of CD4 cells every day, but HIV destroys them.

People infected with HIV develop symptoms that also may be caused by other less serious conditions termed opportunistic infections: Pneumocystis Carinii pneumonia, Kaposi sarcoma, candidosis, histoplasmosis, toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis and others. The symptoms include enlarged lymph glands, tiredness, fever, loss of appetite and weight, diarrhea and night sweats.

There are six periods in AIDS flow. The first is infection with the virus. The second is incubation and it lasts for 2 or 3 weeks. The third period is so-called acute AIDS. During this time (2-3 weeks) airway inflammations, allergy, mononucleosis may occur. Then comes the fourth – the latent, hidden period. It’s the longest one and can last for up to 15 years (usually 2-3 years). The fifth is pre-AIDS. Its signs are cough, emaciation, lymphoadenopathia, fever, night sweats. The person is to die within 1.5 year. The sixth is AIDS itself when a person dies of any opportunistic infection.

HIV is spread primarily by unprotected sex (including anal and oral sex), contaminated blood transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Methods of prevention include safe sex, needle exchange programs, treating those who are infected, and male circumcision. Disease in a baby can often be prevented by giving both the mother and child antiretroviral medication

The treatment of AIDS includes antiretroviral therapy with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (abacavir, didanosine, lamivudine), and protease inhibitors (Indinavir, Ritonavir), HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy, which is a combination of two above mentioned groups). All these drugs have potent side effects and may lead to deafness, sensory disturbances, alopecia, weight loss and psychic problems. The patients are prescribed symptomatic treatment as well. In late stages the treatment is palliative aimed to help those who suffer.