The widely known term HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
The virus is particularly infectious due to the way it metabolises itself, by feeding off cells in the body to multiply and spread. More specifically, HIV attacks the human immune system by attacking white blood cells which affect our ability to fight everyday infections.
Upon contraction a short flu-like bout may occur, but not always. After this period, 6-12 weeks after infection, the body will have made lots of antibodies to try and fight the HIV. This is the point where one can be tested and found to be HIV Positive.
Persons who are HIV Positive will go on to feel perfectly well for a long time. Over the course of time the virus will continue to destroy the immune system until the infected individual will start to show the symptoms of AIDS.
If there is no treatment being given during the HIV Positive stage the AIDS infection may take around nine years to appear, when things start to rapidly deteriorate.
See What is AIDS? for more information.
The virus is particularly infectious due to the way it metabolises itself, by feeding off cells in the body to multiply and spread. More specifically, HIV attacks the human immune system by attacking white blood cells which affect our ability to fight everyday infections.
Upon contraction a short flu-like bout may occur, but not always. After this period, 6-12 weeks after infection, the body will have made lots of antibodies to try and fight the HIV. This is the point where one can be tested and found to be HIV Positive.
Persons who are HIV Positive will go on to feel perfectly well for a long time. Over the course of time the virus will continue to destroy the immune system until the infected individual will start to show the symptoms of AIDS.
If there is no treatment being given during the HIV Positive stage the AIDS infection may take around nine years to appear, when things start to rapidly deteriorate.
See What is AIDS? for more information.
