Human immunodeficiency virus
AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. By killing or damaging cells of the body's immune system, HIV progressively destroys the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers. People diagnosed with AIDS may get life-threatening diseases called opportunistic infections. Cause. The HIV infection is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). After HIV is in the body, it starts to destroy CD4+ cells, which are white blood cells that help the body fight infection and disease. 1 HIV is the virus that causes HIV infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 2  Anal or vaginal sexual intercourse and illicit injectable drug use commonly transmit HIV. 3  Infected mothers may also transmit HIV to their child during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) facts. 1  HIV is the virus that causes HIV infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 2  Anal or vaginal sexual intercourse and illicit injectable drug use commonly transmit HIV. 3  Infected mothers may also transmit HIV to their child during pregnancy or breastfeeding. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By leading to the destruction and/or functional impairment of cells of the immune system, notably CD4+ T cells, HIV progressively destroys the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers. The human immunodeficiency virus is the cause of HIV infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV belongs to a family of organisms known as retroviruses. Once someone acquires the virus, it attaches to and enters human cells, especially cells known as CD4 T-cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. HIV is a virus spread through body fluids that affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. When this happens, HIV infection leads to AIDS. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, the body's natural defense system. Without a strong immune system, the body has trouble fighting off disease. Both the virus and the infection it causes are called HIV. White blood cells are an important part of the immune system. HIV infection is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. You can get HIV from contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. 1  Most people get the virus by having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV. 2  Another common way of getting it is by sharing drug needles with someone who is infected with HIV.
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what causes the hiv virus?