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The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of Lentivirus (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans.Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), [1] [2] a condition in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive. [3]
HIV can survive at room temperature outside the body for hours if dry (provided that initial concentrations are high), [31] and for weeks if wet (in used syringes/needles). [32] However, the amounts typically present in bodily fluids do not survive nearly as long outside the body—generally no more than a few minutes if dry. [23]
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) [8] [9] [10] is a retrovirus [11] that attacks the immune system.It is a preventable disease. [5] It can be managed with treatment and become a manageable chronic health condition. [5]
After the virus enters the body there is a period of rapid viral replication, leading to an abundance of virus in the peripheral blood. During primary infection, the level of HIV may reach several million virus particles per milliliter of blood. [2] This response is accompanied by a marked drop in the numbers of circulating CD4 + T cells.
Structure of HIV, a lentivirus. The virions are enveloped viruses 80–100 nm in diameter. [6] They are spherical or pleomorphic, with capsid cores that mature to a cylindrical or conical shape. [6] [7] Projections of envelope make the surface appear rough, or tiny spikes (about 8 nm) may be dispersed evenly over the surface. [6]
An infectious disease agent can be transmitted in two ways: as horizontal disease agent transmission from one individual to another in the same generation (peers in the same age group) [3] by either direct contact (licking, touching, biting), or indirect contact through air – cough or sneeze (vectors or fomites that allow the transmission of the agent causing the disease without physical ...
The process can take years given that addiction is a chronic disease and effective therapy can be a long, grueling affair. Doctors and researchers often compare addiction from a medical perspective to diabetes. The medication that addicts are prescribed is comparable to the insulin a diabetic needs to live.
HIV-1 is the more commonly associated with AIDS in the US and worldwide, HIV-2 is more rare, and typically restricted to areas in western Africa and southern Asia. HIV-2 is so uncommon that “HIV” almost always refers to HIV-1. Alright HIV targets CD4+ cells, meaning cells that have this specific molecule called CD4 on their membrane.