Read the passage and answer the following questions:
Once inside the human body, the HIV virus enters macrophages, a type of immune cell. Within the macrophages, the viral RNA genome is replicated to form viral DNA with the assistance of an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. This viral DNA is then integrated into the DNA of the host cell, directing the infected cell to produce virus particles. The infected macrophages continue to produce the virus, acting as HIV factories. Simultaneously, the HIV virus also enters helper T-lymphocytes (TH cells) and replicates within them, producing new viruses. These progeny viruses are released into the bloodstream and target other helper T-lymphocytes, leading to a progressive decrease in their numbers. As the number of helper T-lymphocytes decreases, the infected person experiences various symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, and weight loss. Due to the decrease in helper T-lymphocytes, the person's immune system becomes severely weakened, making them susceptible to infections that could typically be overcome, including those caused by bacteria, such as Mycobacterium, viruses, fungi, and parasites like Toxoplasma. The patient becomes immunodeficient, unable to effectively protect themselves against these infections. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a widely used diagnostic test for AIDS, allowing for the detection of HIV infection. While antiretroviral drugs can partially prolong the life of AIDS patients, they cannot prevent death, which is inevitable without a cure for the disease. As AIDS has no cure, prevention is the best option. HIV infection primarily spreads through conscious behavioural patterns, unlike infections like pneumonia or typhoid that may occur inadvertently. Steps such as ensuring blood safety in blood banks, using disposable needles and syringes, promoting condom distribution, controlling drug abuse, advocating safe sex, and regular HIV check-ups in susceptible populations are taken to prevent the spread of HIV infection. It is essential not to hide HIV infection or AIDS as doing so may lead to further transmission. HIV/AIDS-infected individuals deserve help and sympathy from society instead of being stigmatized. Recognizing HIV/AIDS as a collective problem and taking collaborative actions between society and the medical fraternity are needed to prevent the widespread dissemination of the disease. It requires a joint effort to tackle this malady and prevent its spread.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. The word ‘acquired’ here indicates that:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → The deficiency of the immune system develops during the lifetime of the individual and is not congenital
AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. The word ‘acquired’ means that the deficiency of the immune system is acquired during the lifetime of the person, so AIDS is not a congenital disease (one present from birth). The word ‘syndrome’ means a group of symptoms.
Option (1) The deficiency of the immune system develops during the lifetime of the individual and is not congenital — Correct. ‘Acquired’ tells us that the immune deficiency develops during the lifetime of the individual and is not congenital.
Option (2) The disease is present at birth and is inherited from the parents — Incorrect. This is the meaning of ‘congenital’ and ‘inherited’, the opposite of ‘acquired’. AIDS is not inherited from the parents.
Option (3) The immune system acquires the ability to attack the body’s own cells — Incorrect. An immune attack on the body’s own cells is an auto-immune disease. In AIDS the immune system is weakened, because HIV reduces the number of helper T-lymphocytes.
Option (4) The disease shows a group of symptoms that appear together — Incorrect. A group of symptoms is the meaning of the word ‘syndrome’, the last word of AIDS, not of ‘acquired’.
NCERT Extract:
AIDS – “The word AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. This means deficiency of immune system, acquired during the lifetime of an individual indicating that it is not a congenital disease. ‘Syndrome’ means a group of symptoms. AIDS was first reported in 1981 and in the last twenty-five years or so, it has spread all over the world killing more than 25 million persons.”