HIV

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a sexually transmitted virus that attacks the immune system. We need a healthy immune system to provide a defence against disease and infection.

HIV infects cells called CD4 cells, which are found in the blood and are vital for fighting infection. After becoming infected, the CD4 cells are invaded and damaged by HIV. Although the body will attempt to produce more CD4 cells, their numbers will eventually fall and the immune system will stop working properly. This means a person who is infected with HIV has a high risk of developing a serious infection or disease.

HIV is a special type of virus known as a retrovirus. Retroviruses spread by breaking down the DNA in our cells and then reassembling it to make more copies of the virus. Retroviruses are hard to treat as they can rapidly alter into new strains of virus.

There is no cure for HIV and there is no vaccine to prevent you becoming infected. However, since the 1990s, treatments have been developed that allow most people to stay well and live reasonably normal lives.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a term that is used to describe the late stages of HIV, once the immune system has stopped working and the person develops a life-threatening condition, such as pneumonia.

The term AIDS was first used by doctors when the exact makeup of the HIV virus was not fully understood. Specialists now prefer to use the terms advanced or late-stage HIV infection.