HIV/AIDSHIV (AIDS) is a virus that attacks the immune system. As HIV progresses the body suffers from a sort of immune system atrophy. HIV targets CD4 + cells (white blood cells) and destroys them. These CD4 + cells play a critical role in the body's immune system and without them the body becomes vulnerable to a number of opportunistic infections (OI). HIV transmission occurs primarily when infected blood or sexual fluids enter the body.HIV/AIDS can also be transmitted to an infant during pregnancy or while breast feeding.
HIV becomes full blown AIDS when a patient suffers from an AIDS defining illness, this includes a list of opportunistic infections most notably thrush. HIV 1 and HIV 2 are different strains of the HIV virus. HIV 1 is the HIV most people are talking about when referring to HIV and is the strain responsible for the pandemic. HIV 2 is largely confined to West Africa and is considered to be a much less virulent strain of HIV.
More about HIV/AIDS:
