2. MICRO-ORGANISMS
“A microorganism, or microbe, is a tiny organism that usually
cannot be seen without the aid of a microscope” (Enger, Ross,
and Bailey, 2007).
Microorganisms include three domains:
Domain Eubacteria
Domain Archaea
Domain Eucarya- include kingdoms Protista and Fungi
AIDS is found under Domains Eubacteria and Archaea.
3. Definition/Description of HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• A retrovirus
• HIV invades helper T cells to replicate itself as well as other
cells in the body.
• There is no cure.
• HIV is a microorganism.
5. Line Graph and Table showing the
Normal Immune Response
Days Number of microbes Immune response (units)
0 1 0
1 1000 0
2 10000 1
3 1000 100
4 10 1000
5 1 1000
6 0 1000
7 0 100
8 0 10
9 0 1
10 0 1
6. Line Graph and Table showing the
Immune Response of a person with AIDS
Years Number of Viruses Immune response (units)
0 1 0
1 100 1
2 10000 50
3 10 1000
4 1 10000
5 1 10000
6 1 1000
7 10 500
8 100 100
9 1000 1
10 10000 0
7. Stage 1- Primary
Short flu-like illness- occurs 1-6 weeks after
infection
Large amount of the virus is being produced in
the body
No symptoms at all
May infect other persons
8. Stage 2- Asymptomatic
Free from symptoms
HIV antibodies are detectable in the blood
HIV reproduces at low levels in the body,
although still active
Infected person may experience swollen
glands
Lasts approximately 10 years
9. Stage 3- Symptomatic
Symptoms are mild
Immune system deteriorates
Development/signs of opportunist
infections and cancers
10. Stage 4- HIV to AIDS
The immune system weakens
AIDS diagnosis is made due to illnesses
becoming more severe and the presence of
opportunist infections and/cancers
11. AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• HIV is the virus that causes AIDS
• When the CD4 cells fall below 200 cells/ul, one is
considered to have progressed to AIDS
• No cure
• Without treatment, infected persons can live up to 3-4
years
