The Science Behind HIV

     HIV is a type of virus called the retrovirus; this means that it carries RNA but carries an enzyme that allows it to unwind DNA from another cell and integrate its RNA to the unwound DNA. It is found in human blood, sexual fluids and breast milk of a person living with HIV. The fluids then, containing HIV, are transmitted commonly through mucous membranes. Mucous membranes are the soft tissues that provide less effective barriers to infection. Mucous membranes are on the inside of sexual organs, inside of the mouth, and other various areas. When there are then tears or bleeding in these soft tissues (which are invisible to the naked eye typically) which makes it easier for HIV to enter the bloodstream. Sores on the soft tissues also makes it easier for HIV to be transmitted. Sores can be from other sexually transmitted diseases.

               

     After HIV is transmitted, the virus begins to attack and destroy the CD4 cells in the immune system. The CD4 cells are also known as the T-helper cells which are a type of white blood cell which is very important for the immune system. The virus then inserts its RNA, which is comparable to our genetic makeup but only one strand instead of two, into the white blood cells causing the white blood cell to replicate infected HIV cells over and over.

           
     To treat these infected CD4 cells and to reduce the risk of HIV transmission to others, antiretroviral therapy (ART) was created. ART is used to prevent the virus from continuing to multiply. It does not eradicate the virus from the immune system, but it gives the body the opportunity to recover and fight off infections. The HIV medicines are grouped into six different drug classes and they all fight differently. The treatments are individualized for each person living with HIV, combining any of the six drug classes together for a regimen to bring the person back to good health.
     To Learn More About HIV, Visit Avert.org or AIDS.gov For More Information