What is HIV&AIDS, How you get it, and ways to AVOID it
WHAT IS HIV? HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus . It is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , or AIDS , if not treated. Unlike some other viruses, the human body can’t get rid of HIV completely, even with treatment. So once you get HIV , you have it for life. HIV attacks the body’s immune system , specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. Untreated , HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body, making the person more likely to get other infections or infection-related cancers. Over time , HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. These opportunistic infections or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal that the person has AIDS , the last stage of HIV infection. No effective ...