What is HIV and how does it differ from other viruses which infect human beings?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. As the name suggests, it only causes disease in humans, which leads to the depletion of white blood cells, lowering immunity. Once the virus enters the body, it lies dormant for many years and hence is known as a “slow virus”. Most other viruses, for example those causing measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc., manifest the disease in 14-21 days after it enters the body. The incubation period is short (2-3 weeks). In HIV infection, it is very long and runs into years. How does HIV attack the immune system? A: Once HIV enters the body, it gets attached to a type of white blood cell called T lymphocyte (which is the T cell in the human body’s protection against infections). The RNA (genetic material) of the virus then gets converted to DNA (genetic material) by an enzyme the virus produces. This viral DNA then gets incorporated into the DNA of the human cell (T lymphocyte), andremains there for the lifetime of that cell. This infected cell now beco
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. As the name suggests it only causes disease in humans, which leads to the depletion of white blood cells leading to lowering of immunity. Once the virus enters the body it lies dormant for many years and hence is known as a ‘slow virus’. Most other viruses for example, those causing measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc., manifest the disease in 14-21 days after it enters the body. Hence the incubation period is short (2-3 weeks) whereas in HIV infection it is very long and runs into years.
