What Is HIV?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. This virus takes hold on the human immune system cells (CD4) and reproduces itself. It damages human immune system and weakens it slowly. On the other hand AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and it is the state that is identified when there are a set of related symptoms that are caused by advanced HIV infection. AIDS makes the body susceptible to life threatening sickness. It is called as opportunistic infections. So it is important to see that what is HIV? 

Let us see that what is HIV?

Before going to discuss that what HIV is, let us break down the words. H stands for human, I stand for Immune, and V stands for Virus. HIV is like other viruses those that are responsible for or cause the flu. However these other viruses are destroyed by immune system. Moreover the body can not get rid of HIV.

Many scientists have been experimenting that why the immune system can not destroy this virus. HIV has the capacity to hide in immune system over a long period of time and it assaults the chief part of immune system- your CD4 cells or T cells.

The function of these cells is to fight against infections and diseases. However HIV is exception for that as it hides and attacks slowly on these cells and at the end damages them badly. It destroys them slowly and your body can not resist it. Eventually a person succumbs to the AIDS. 

How does HIV spread out?

HIV can spread out through the blood and blood products as well as other body fluids that include white blood cells. 

Unprotected Sex

This involves vaginal or anal intercourse, and oral sex on a man or woman without a condom or other blockade. Involving into intercourse when a woman is having her period or genital sores can raise the risk of HIV transmission.

Using needles or syringes that are used by a HIV infected person

This can be a reason for spreading out HIV. If the needles that are used by an infected person reused by another person HIV can be transmitted.

Breast feeding If a mother gets infected with HIV, then through her breast feeding HIV can be spread out to the child. 

Transplantation of organs from infected donors to another person

How Does HIV damage the Body?

The immune system is composed of specialized cells that are known to be T4 or CD4, or helper T. These cells fights off with invading germs and keeps the body healthy. HIV attacks on these cells and weakens them. However it can also assault nervous system, cells of brain, lymphatic system, digestive system, and other parts of the body. These CD4 cells orders the cells that are known to be soldier cells to destroy the invaders like bacteria, fungi, parasites, cancers, and viruses that can spread the infection in body. HIV virus replicates itself and virtually damages immune system.

The furnished matter regarding what is HIV would be helpful to you for exact information about HIV. 

Source : http://www.hivsymptomsonline.com