The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) was identified in 1983 as the pathogen responsible for the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is characterized by changes in the population of T-cell lymphocytes that play a key role in the immune defense system. In the infected individual, the virus causes a depletion of T-cells, called “T-helper cells”, which leaves these patients susceptible to opportunistic infections, and certain malignancies.

Three European scientist won the 2008 Nobel Prize for Medicine for research in HIV-AIDS and the human papilloma virus linked to human cervical cancer. On Monday 6 October 2008, the Nobel Foundation released this statement:

"The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has today decided to award The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2008 with one half to Harald zur Hausen for his discovery of 'human papilloma viruses causing cervical cancer' and the other half jointly to Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier for their discovery of 'human immunodeficiency virus'."

The emergence and rapid worldwide spread of the Mexico strain of swine flu (H1N1) virus has caught the world health officials by surprise. As a result, there is yet no available vaccine to combat this potential new strain of swine flu (H1N1) virus.

Until a vaccine has been developed, TAMIFLU (oseltamivir phosphate), one of the anti-retroviral drugs approved by the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has been implemented by the Obama administration as one of its arsenals to combat the fast spreading swine flu (H1N1) epidemic.

Word of caution. TAMIFLU is a prescription drug, for good reasons, and must be taken only upon consultation with your doctor. There are potential complications, depending on your health, age, and other conditions.

More significant,  rampant use of  anti-retroviral drugs could lead to the evolution of influenza viruses that are resistant to the drugs.