what is HIV?

Question

I NKOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS EVERYONE SAYS IM DUMB

Answer 1

Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is a retrovirus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections

Answer 2

Human Immuno Deficiency Virus - A virus that weakens the immunity and makes a person susceptible to diseases that the average person wouldn't contract. When you have two or more of these infections you meet the criteria for being defined with AIDS. Note: You don't actually have to have HIV to have AIDS. Most people are HIV + but AIDS describes a state of weakened immunity. AIDS itself is not a virus.
You can contract HIV through sexual contact. Condoms reduce but do not eliminate the risk. A partner may not look sick, but could have HIV.

Answer 3

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

It is a retro-virus that primarily targets white blood cells especially the Cd4 sub type

This makes your body susceptible to a number of infections

Answer 4

First of all whoever says that you are dumb aren't very kind ignore them, not everyone knows everything do they?
why don't you do a google search here is a useful link below also ignore some of the daft answers on here, good luck with your search.
http://www.avert.org/aids.htm

Answer 5

20dub06 has got it- i mean the definition.

basically you can get it from someone who allready has it , if you swop body fluids ,such as blood or sperm. some get it from blood transfusion. it is what eventually leads to full blown AIDS, which I am sure you must have heard of. don't feel stupid , because many people only have a vague idea what it is all about. they do not educatethemselves further. it is worth anyones'while to gather as much info as possiblke, to avoid it, and if that is too late, to at least live as healthy life as possible. it is very serious and anyone making you feel dumb, is very ignorant themselves.

Answer 6

It is a virus - belonging to a group called Retro viruses

HUMAN IMMUNO DEFICIENCY VIRUS

Formerly called Human T Lymphocyte virus(HTLV)

Causes 1. AIDS - Acquired Immuno defiiciency syndrome
2. ARD - Aids related disease.
3. ARC - Aids related complex

Answer 7

Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is a retrovirus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. Previous names for the virus include Human T-Lymphotropic Virus-III (HTLV-III) and lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV).[1][2]

Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk. Within these body fluids HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells. The three major routes of transmission are sexual intercourse, contaminated needles and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth or through breast milk. Screening of blood products for HIV in the developed world has largely eliminated transmission through blood transfusions or infected blood products in these countries.

HIV infection in humans is now pandemic. As of January 2006, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized on December 1, 1981, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in recorded history. In 2005 alone, AIDS claimed an estimated 2.4-3.3 million lives, of which more than 570,000 were children.[3] A third of these deaths are occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, retarding economic growth and increasing poverty.[4] According to current estimates, HIV is set to infect 90 million people in Africa, resulting in a minimum estimate of 18 million orphans.[5] Antiretroviral treatment reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, but routine access to antiretroviral medication is not available in all countries.[6]

HIV primarily infects vital cells in the human immune system such as helper T cells (specifically CD4+ T cells), macrophages and dendritic cells. HIV infection leads to low levels of CD4+ T cells through three main mechanisms: firstly, direct viral killing of infected cells; secondly, increased rates of apoptosis in infected cells; and thirdly, killing of infected CD4+ T cells by CD8 cytotoxic lymphocytes that recognize infected cells. When CD4+ T cell numbers decline below a critical level, cell-mediated immunity is lost, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections. Eventually, most HIV-infected individuals develop AIDS and die; however about one in ten remain healthy for many years, with no noticeable symptoms[7]

Answer 8

I agree with the above

Answer 9

Please see the Google search pages on HIV and prepare notes to teach others.

Answer 10

the name of the virus causing (aids)