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HIV-1 is the virus that was originally discovered (and initially referred to also as LAV or HTLV-III). It is more virulent, more infective, [99] and is the cause of the majority of HIV infections globally. The lower infectivity of HIV-2 as compared with HIV-1 implies that fewer people exposed to HIV-2 will be infected per exposure.
In 2016, about 36.7 million people were living with HIV, and it resulted in 1 million deaths. [11] There were 300,000 fewer new HIV cases in 2016 than in 2015. [ 12 ] Most of those infected, live in sub-Saharan Africa .
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.
Two types of HIV have been characterized: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is the virus that was initially discovered and termed both lymphadenopathy associated virus (LAV) and human T-lymphotropic virus 3 (HTLV-III). HIV-1 is more virulent and more infective than HIV-2, [20] and is the cause of the majority of HIV infections globally. The lower ...
What makes HIV so tricky is that once it finds its way into your body, it takes hold. HIV is a retrovirus, which means it can integrate its genetic material into your cells’ DNA.
Figure 1. Early Symptoms of HIV. The stages of HIV infection are acute infection (also known as primary infection), latency, and AIDS. Acute infection lasts for several weeks and may include symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, inflammation of the throat, rash, muscle pain, malaise, and mouth and esophageal sores. The latency stage ...
Video explanation. HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that targets cells in the immune system. Over time, the immune system begins to fail which is called immunodeficiency, and this increases the risk of infections and tumors that a healthy immune system would usually be able to fend off.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) damages the body's immune system, which interferes with its ability to fight off disease-causing agents. The virus kills CD4 cells, which are white blood cells that help fight off various infections. HIV is carried in body fluids and is spread by sexual activity.