HIV and CD4 cells

HIV and CD4 cells are terms which are related to each other. It would be easy for you to understand the development of AIDS if you study these both terms. HIV that is known as Human ImmunoDeficiency Virus is a virus that causes for the development of the AIDS. When the virus enters in the body of the person, it is called as HIV infection. HIV can be spread out through the several ways in the body. On the other hand CD4 cells are the chief elements in the formation of the immune system. The immune system is composed of the CD4 cells or T helper. These cells are known as a soldier cells. The main task of these cells is to protect the body from the attack of various infections and diseases. These cells keep the body protected and healthy. HIV enters in the body and stays in the CD4 cells. It hides for protecting itself from the attack of the immune system. Unfortunately, CD4 cells fail to recognize the existence of the HIV. HIV not only hides but also starts to replicating itself in order to weaken the immune system.

The reproduction process takes several years. It starts from the infection of HIV to developing the AIDS. The period between HIV infections to AIDS is broken into the stages. These are known as the stages of HIV. Every stage brings a person near to the AIDS. However, there are some symptoms that appear during these stages. One of the stages does not show the symptoms of HIV. The stage is called as asymptomatic stage. It means the stage without any symptoms. The replication process still goes on during these stages. Once the HIV takes over to the immune system a person gets developed AIDS. As a result of this the CD4 cells' count comes down. In such circumstances, opportunistic infections attack on the body. Opportunistic infections take the benefit of the damaged immune system. The immune system is totally damaged by HIV.