What Is HIV?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

HIV attacks and weakens the immune system so that it cannot properly fight off infections and diseases. It leaves people vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers because the immune system is no longer able to protect the individual. HIV is able to do this through attacking the CD4 cells in the body. An individual’s CD4 cells help to coordinate the immune system and they lead the bodies’ immune response against foreign invaders. When HIV enters the body it infiltrates these cells and turns them into more copies of HIV, leaving your immune system weakened and unable to coordinate a strong offensive against other possible infections.