HIV
HIV is the human immuno deficiency virus. It is the virus that can lead to acquired immune deficiency
syndrome, or AIDS.
●H – Human – This particular virus can only infect human beings.
●I – Immunodeficiency – HIV weakens your immune system by destroying important cells that
fight disease and infection. A “deficient” immune system can’t protect you.
●V – Virus – A virus can only reproduce itself by taking over a cell in the body of its host.
Human Immuno deficiency Virus is a lot like other viruses, including those that cause the “flu” or the
common cold. But there is an important difference – over time, your immune system can clear most
viruses out of your body. That isn’t the case with HIV – the human immune system can’t seem to get rid
of it. Scientists are still trying to figure out why.
We know that HIV can hide for long periods of time in the cells of your body and that it attacks a key part
of your immune system – your T-cells or CD4 cells. Your body has to have these cells to fight infections
and disease, but HIV invades them, uses them to make more copies of itself, and then destroys them.
Over time, HIV can destroy so many of your CD4 cells that your body can’t fight infections and diseases
anymore. When that happens, HIV infection can lead to AIDS
To understand what AIDS is, let’s break it down:
A – Acquired – AIDS is not something you inherit from your parents. You acquire AIDS after birth.
I – Immuno – Your body’s immune system includes all the organs and cells that work to fight off infection
or disease.
D – Deficiency – You get AIDS when your immune system is “deficient,” or isn’t working the way it
should.
S – Syndrome – A syndrome is a collection of symptoms and signs of disease. AIDS is a syndrome, rather
than a single disease, because it is a complex illness with a wide range of complications and symptoms.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is the final stage of HIV infection. People at this stage of HIV
disease have badly damaged immune systems, which put them at risk for opportunistic infections (OIs).
You will be diagnosed with AIDS if you have one or more specific OIs, certain cancers, or a very low
number of CD4 cells. If you have AIDS, you will need medical intervention and treatment to prevent
death.
Causes
HIV causes AIDS. Two HIV strains have been identified: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is the prototype virus
and is responsible for most cases of AIDS in the United States. HIV-2 is found chiefly in West Africa,
appears to be less easily transmitted, and has a longer incubation period.
Susceptibility to infection is unclear. The presence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with open
lesions, such as herpes and syphilis, may increase the patient’s susceptibility to viral entry.
