In order for the HIV virus to effect a person it must first enter the body's bloodstream and then begin to attack parts of the person's immune system. HIV destroys cells called T4-lymphocytes and macrophage. These cells are white blood cells. White blood cells are very important for fighting infection in the body's immune system. Cells are small but because an organism of a virus is smaller it is able to live inside of the cell. The HIV organism reproduces by intercepting to white cells transmissions for reproduction. Basically it tricks the cells to produce more of the HIV organism instead of healthy white cells which fight infection. HIV will then destroy the cell in which it is living in to move to another cell. This will keep happening until the immune system is no longer able to fight against any disease or infection. HIV can then also spread to the central nervous system. This system includes the brain, spinal cord, and muscle movements. When the nervous system is infected it impairs vision, coordination, muscle control, and even the memory.
The HIV/AIDS viruses do not cause death by them selves. The pave the way for other disease to infect and kill. The most common death for people with AIDS is Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and is also called PCP. This disease is related to one third of all AIDS related deaths.
To get HIV a person mush have sexual contact with someone