This document discusses microorganisms and HIV/AIDS. It defines microorganisms as tiny organisms that usually require a microscope to see. It explains that HIV is a retrovirus that invades T cells and replicates, causing AIDS once the immune system is severely weakened. The four stages of HIV are also outlined, from initial infection to AIDS diagnosis when opportunistic infections take hold due to very low CD4 counts.

1. MICRO-ORGANISMS
HIV and AIDS

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.

4. Four Stages of HIV

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