Hiv Research Paper

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the most serious, deadly diseases in human history. HIV is a type of virus called a retrovirus. HIV causes a condition called acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome (AIDS). HIV is one of the most deadly and serious diseases in human history. Viruses such as HIV cannot grow or reproduce on their own. In order to do so they need to infect the cells of a living organism in order to make new copies of themselves. A person’s immune system usually finds and kills viruses rapidly. However, HIV attacks the immune system itself. HIV destroys a certain type of defense system. This defense system is known as CD4 helper lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are part of the body's immune system. Once HIV destroys the lymphocytes the immune system becomes weak. Generally people can get serious infections that they normally wouldn't. Each year there are thousands of cases with teens and adults becoming infected with this virus. HIV can be transmitted from an infected person to another person various ways. The way a person gets HIV is when an infected person's body fluids (blood, semen, fluids from the vagina or breast milk) enter his or her bloodstream. The virus can also enter the blood through linings in the mouth, anus, or through broken skin. Both men and women can spread HIV. Although a person may be infected with HIV and feel okay they still can give the virus to others. Pregnant women with HIV also can give the virus to their babies. Doctors have labeled some transmissions of HIV as “high risk behaviors”. These high risk behaviors include having unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sexual intercourse. As well as sharing needles, such as ones to inject drugs, steroids, and other substances and sharing needles used for tattooing. Other risk factors include people who have another sexually transmitted disease (STD) (such as syphilis, genital herpes, chlamydia, or gonorrhea) are at greater risk for getting HIV during sex with