The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that causes the body’s immune system to break down. Your immune system fights off illness and infection and is very important for a healthy body.
Once HIV is present in the body, it attacks important white blood cells in your immune system called lymphocytes, or T-cells. T-cells identify and destroy invading organisms in the body. Once attached to the T-cell, HIV replicates and destroys the cell. When your body is deprived of enough T-cells, it can become very sick from infections that a healthy person’s immune system would normally fight off, such as colds, flu and other viruses.
Image reprinted, with permission, from Holds JB, Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 7, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2011-2012.
Next Page: What Is AIDS?
Related Resources
Related Topics
Related Answers
| ||||
