1.1. What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS. It can only be transmitted from human to human. When the virus is in the human body it attacks the immune system. The immune system is very important - it protects the body by fighting off germs and infections. Normally, the body's immune system would be able to fight off infection. But HIV is able to infect key cells, called CD4 cells, which work to protect the body against infections. Over a long time HIV makes the immune system so weak that the body can no longer fight sickness. Once you have HIV in your body you are said to be HIV positive.
The virus was originally identified in Paris in May 1983 by Luc Montagnier. It belongs to a group of viruses called retroviruses. Once cells become infected with HIV they stay infected for the rest of their lives.


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