HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus, commonly called HIV, is a retrovirus that primarily infects vital components of the human immune system such as CD4+ T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. It also directly and indirectly destroys CD4+ T cells. As CD4+ T cells are required for the proper functioning of the immune system, when enough CD4+ cells have been destroyed by HIV, the immune system barely works, leading to AIDS. HIV also directly attacks certain human organs, such as the kidneys, the heart and the brain leading to acute renal failure, cardiomyopathy, dementia and encephalopathy. Many of the problems faced by people infected with HIV results from the failure of the immune system to protect them from certain opportunistic infections and cancers.

Transmission

HIV is transmitted through penetrative and oral sex whether vaginal or anal, blood transfusion, the sharing of contaminated needles through drug injection and in health care settings, and between mother and infant during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding {{ref|UNAIDS}}. The use of physical barriers such as the latex condom is widely advocated to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV.

Related Topics:
Blood transfusion - Latex - Condom

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At the end of 2004 there were between 36 and 44 million people living with HIV, of whom 25 million were in sub-Saharan Africa. Global estimates for new HIV infection in 2004 were 4.3-6.4 million. {{ref|UNAIDS2004}}.

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