Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When AIDS first appeared in 1981, most cases were fatal. Once it was determined that HIV was the cause of AIDS, researchers were able to develop testing and treatments. A protocol called antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps prevent HIV from replicating in the body. This effective treatment allows many people who test HIV-positive to live otherwise long and healthy lives.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It has three distinct phases. The initial stage is marked by fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. In the second stage, the virus lays clinically dormant. The third stage is HIV/AIDS, with symptoms of recurring fever, persistent and extreme fatigue, chronic diarrhea, and neurological disorders.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the late stage of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Without treatment, it takes about 10 years for HIV to develop into AIDS. Fortunately, there are treatments available that work to stop the virus from replicating, preventing the infection from progressing to AIDS.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that destroys CD4 T-cells, blood cells that play a key role in the immune system. The virus progressively eliminates these cells, leaving the body less able to defend itself against opportunistic infections. This ultimately leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the fatal stage of HIV. Left untreated, HIV takes about 10 years to progress to AIDS.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections have three distinct phases. In the initial stage, symptoms include fever, chills, diarrhea, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. The second stage has no symptoms. The third stage is progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS symptoms include recurring fever, persistent and extreme fatigue, chronic diarrhea, and neurological disorders.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), which suppresses the virus with the goal of reaching undetectable levels. The type of ART prescribed depends on the patient's treatment history. HIV medications may be used in combination with medications for other chronic health conditions.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is spread through contact with infected blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. This can occur during unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, sharing needles, accidental blood exposure, or passed from mother to baby during pregnancy. It is not transmitted through sweat, tears, saliva, feces, or urine.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections can be prevented through abstinence, not sharing needles, limiting your number of sexual partners, and using condoms correctly every time you have sex. There are also prophylactic medicines that can help prevent infection if you have been or are at-risk for HIV infection.
An antiretroviral (ARV) is a type of medication used to prevent a retrovirus, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), from replicating. ARV therapy does not actively kill the virus. Instead, these drugs target different stages of the virus’ life cycle, preventing it from replicating.
CD4 cells, also known as CD4 T lymphocyte and helper T cells, are a type of lymphocyte that helps coordinate the immune response by stimulating other immune cells. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks these cells, weakening the immune system.
Immunodeficiency is the inability to produce an adequate immune response due to an absence of antibodies, immune cells, or both. Immunodeficiency can be primary, meaning you are born with it, or secondary, which develops as a response to exposure to a disease like HIV or an accident or operation that damages the spleen.
Life cycle refers to the seven steps HIV follows to reproduce: binding, fusion, reverse transcription, integration, replication, assembly, and budding. Also known as a replication cycle, antiretroviral drugs target different life cycle stages, making it impossible for the virus to multiply and spread.
A retrovirus is a ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based virus that uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert RNA into DNA. Once converted, the retrovirus integrates its DNA into the host cell, which enables it to replicate.
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