How does HIV infect the blood?
HIV targets the specific type of white blood cell called T-helper cells. T-helper cells are like the generals of an army. T-helper cells command other immune cells to destroy infections and diseases. HIV kills the T-helper cells, and once these are killed off the rest of the immune system has no idea what to do. Each cell in the body has areas called receptors. Think of it as a round hole. Unless the virus or other infectious agent has a round peg, they won’t fit and the infections can’t hurt that particular cell. HIV would therefore have a round peg that neatly fits into the T-helper cells round hole or receptor. These receptor sites are called CD4 receptor sites. The body produces antibodies to fight the HIV virus. But this is ineffective because the HIV is hiding inside of the T-helper cell. Thus if the antibody does kill the HIV Virus, it also kills the T-helper cell. Remember these are like the generals commanding the body’s immune system. So then you have either an a bunch of ant
