Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV is a double stranded RNA retrovirus (retro refers to reverse transcriptase).

It binds to CD4 receptors on T-lymphocytes, monocytes & macrophages.

The virus enters the cell and it's reverse transcriptase enzyme makes a DNA

copy of the RNA genome. This DNA then integrates into the host DNA

The disease is can be asymptomatic initially. As the virus replicates

the immune system becomes progressively impaired.

A sequence of symptoms and complications occurs



#Human #Immunodeficiency #Virus #HIV #Diagnosis #signs #symptoms