Question

Given below is the relationship between the HIV levels in the blood and helper T-cell count in a person detected with AIDS. Study the relationship and answer the questions that follow.

1. Describe the trend observed between viral load and immune response following initial infection.
2. Is the virus permanently eliminated from the body? Justify your answer.

Answer 1

1. After initial HIV infection, the viral load rises sharply in the blood. Soon, the immune response increases, leading to a temporary fall in viral load, while the helper T-cell count initially recovers partially. Over time, however, the viral load gradually increases and the T-cell count steadily declines.
2. No, the virus is not permanently eliminated from the body. Although the immune system temporarily suppresses HIV, the virus persists in a latent form and continues to multiply slowly, eventually destroying helper T-cells and leading to AIDS.