Knowing Hiv

Knowing HIV

Knowing Hiv

September 20, 2010

HCA/240

Knowing HIV Page 1

T-cells play a large active role in the immune system. There are several different kinds of T-cells that all have an important role in the immune system. T-cells are where the HIV virus hangs out masquerading as a healthy cell. A blood test call the ELISA test will determine if a person is in fact a carrier of the HIV antibodies. Once a person tests positive for the antibodies, another test will be done to make sure that the positive was a true positive. The HIV virus stores itself in healthy cells destroying a healthy immune system. The HIV virus stores in high concentrations in the lymph nodes (Mulvhill, 2006).

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) can hide for a long stretches of time in the very cells that the virus sets out to destroy. The HIV virus attacks the T-cells or CD4 cells. These cells are the body’s basic line of defense against infections (AIDS, 2010). HIV takes anywhere two to eight years to become full blown AIDS. Once a person contracts AIDS; the person will have AIDS for the rest of their lifetime. There is not a cure presently for HIV/AIDS (Mulvhill, 2006).

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the final stages of the HIV virus. People who have progressed to the final stage have compromised immune systems. It is likely that the person who is the final stages of AIDS does not directly succumb to the HIV virus, but they likely pass from the complications of some other infection like the flu or even the common cold (AIDS, 2010).

HIV transmission can occur in several different ways. The most commonly known way would be having sex with an affected partner....