WHAT IS HIV ?
HIV (the Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the human immune system and it makes it harder for the body to fight off any infections that may appear. HIV will weaken the body and it’s immune system by destroying T-Cell Lymphocytes (the white blood cells that protect against viruses and bacteria attacks) – and because of that, the body cannot defend effectively against any type of infection.
Someone infected with HIV can take up to 8-10 years to develop AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). AIDS is caused by HIV and it is the final stage of the HIV infection.
HIV is really dangerous because it increases the severity of most common diseases and conditions and it also increases the risk of getting cancer. A person with AIDS usually dies in about 2-3 years after developing AIDS – if left untreated. The death is usually caused by various infections (which over time get more and more severe) and cancer.