- 1-800-248-1199
What is HIV?
|
There are more than 2 million viruses around. Some cause colds and other illnesses like the flu or chickenpox. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus. HIV is the only virus that can cause AIDS. This particular type of virus is called a retrovirus, and the medications used to fight the virus are called antiretrovirals. You may be diagnosed with HIV and not have AIDS. There are various stages of HIV, with AIDS generally being the most advanced stage. Many individuals can be infected and contagious with HIV for a period of time and not know that they are HIV positive. This is possible because they do not show any symptoms of the disease, and may not realize that they have been exposed. HIV makes people sick by attacking the body's immune system. The immune system is the part of the body that defends against infection and disease. The CD4 cell (or T4 cell) is also known as a helper cell. It helps the body fight infections that can lead to illness. This is also the main cell destroyed by HIV. Once the virus enters the body, it targets the CD4 cell, multiplies, and then destroys the CD4 cell. As the amount of virus in the body increases, more and more CD4 cells are destroyed and can no longer fight off illnesses. The individual then begins to have symptoms and gets sick. The amount of time it takes from becoming infected to developing symptoms varies from person to person. Some patients will develop symptoms within months of infection and some will take years. The immune system in infants and very young children is still immature, and therefore these children tend to develop symptoms more quickly than newly infected adults. [Keywords:HIV] |
|
|
Copyright © 2000-2009 Web Design: NetMediaOne |
