How does HIV?

The AIDS virus enters the body through blood, semen and vaginal fluids and once incorporated attacks the immune system. This system consists of a set of components including cells, antibodies and circulating substances across any element that is recognized as foreign or strange. This is particularly the case with infectious agents including bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites.

Faced with the presence of infectious agents the immune system mobilizes to defend cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes, to be invaded by the HIV virus lose their ability to recognize and deal with foreign agents, who take the opportunity this fall to proliferate immune surveillance. To multiply, the virus puts in place a specific mechanism by which retroviruses copy its genome (all the genetic information of a living being) of RNA, DNA Cell. The virus stimulates the reproductive activity of lymphocytes but since they have copied the HIV genome, rather than reproducing, viral cells multiply.

As the virus replicates, the body becomes increasingly vulnerable to diseases against which, in normal times can be defended. These diseases are called opportunistic diseases. The collapse of the defenses is not massive, but allows even more likely the emergence of certain diseases: infections (the most common are lung, and others produced by various viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites), and different types of cancer (the most common are that affect the skin and lymph nodes).

One of the clearest indicators of the progress of the infection and the development of AIDS, is the emergence of these "opportunistic infections". That is why they are considered "markers" or "tracer". Mark the presence and progression of the infection. They are compounded by the direct effects of virus in the body, including, among others, nervous system and digestive system. When the HIV status develops this set of conditions is considered an AIDS victim.

As discussed above, that HIV can happen once entered the body remains "at rest" within invaded cells. In this situation, the patient has no symptoms, so it is called asymptomatic carrier. Although no asymptomatic carrier symptoms can infect others unknowingly.