By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: World #AIDS Day – Stunning Image of HIV Invading a Cell.
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > World #AIDS Day – Stunning Image of HIV Invading a Cell.
SpecialtiesTechnology

World #AIDS Day – Stunning Image of HIV Invading a Cell.

Conor McKechnie
Conor McKechnie
Share
3 Min Read
Hiv---tom_hope
SHARE

In 1988 on the forst World Aids Day, I was sixteen and was chosen by school, with 3 friends, to attend an AIDS awareness event in London. We joined young adults from all over the UK in a day of learning about the disease, the epidemic and prevention. We were given the mission to take the message back to our school mates: Explain the disease, explain the risk, encourage safe sex and destigmatise the condition.

In 1988 on the forst World Aids Day, I was sixteen and was chosen by school, with 3 friends, to attend an AIDS awareness event in London. We joined young adults from all over the UK in a day of learning about the disease, the epidemic and prevention. We were given the mission to take the message back to our school mates: Explain the disease, explain the risk, encourage safe sex and destigmatise the condition.

I like to think we did our bit. It was somewhat nervewracking standing before the whole school the week after, 16 years old, and encouraging my peers and seniors to wear condoms…call it a first foray into public engagement in health literacy and public affairs.

Who knew that 22 years later so much progress would have been made, and so many people would have died, and that I would find myself working for a firm  whose instruments and equipment are at the heart of the struggle against HIV/AIDS. And that this would throw up images of such devastating beauty as this. 

More Read

Fighting Cancer with Cancer
Collaborative Care With Private Social Networks for Patients and Doctors
Noted Endocrinologist Indicates Testosterone Therapy Could Minimize Bone Loss
Designing Healthcare Innovation
Chemical Peels Can Do Wonders for Treating Skin Disorders
Hiv---tom_hope

Stay with me folks, the drivel above is preamble – this is the juicy stuff – Think of the HIV virus as Luke Skywalker destroying the Deathstar (our T-Cells):: The image shows HIV virus (green x-wing fighter) travelling down the microtubules (in red) towards the cell’s nucleus (the blue main reactor), where the viral rampage causes havoc, either killing the cell directly, causing the cell to kill itself (boom), or the body’s immune system to kill the cell (tie-ghters turn on the Death Star to stop the rebel alliance). Then, when enough of the critical CD4+ T cells (Death Stars) are destroyed, the Empire’s (our body’s) defences are down and cell-mediated immune response is no-longer effective; the Rebel Alliance wins, the Sith are banished, and the Jedi Return. Obviously this only works as a metaphor if you join the Dark Side and root for the Empire, not those pesky rebels and their cuddly friends.

 

 Technologies for imaging live cells are increasing our understanding of disease and are critical to the discovery and design of new drugs against HIV

Image courtesy Dave McDonald, University of Illinois/GE Healthcare

 

TAGGED:AIDS
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

The “Luck of the Jewish” in Cancer

July 17, 2013
OrthopaedicsSpecialties

Selecting The Perfect Physiotherapist To Treat Chronic Complications

March 6, 2020

Sweeping Changes in Healthcare Are Expected by 2025: How Can Providers Prepare?

February 24, 2016

Health 2.0 – Focus on High Quality, Low Cost & Connectivity

September 27, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?