HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a subgroup of retrovirus) that causes HIV infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive. Without treatment, average survival time after infection with HIV is estimated to be 9 to 11 years, depending on the HIV subtype. Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-ejaculate, or breast milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV is present as both free virus particles and virus within infected immune cells.[1]

## Discussion questions and essay ideas[edit | edit source]

* How close are scientists to developing an HIV vaccine?
* What are some effective methods of preventing HIV transmission?

## See also[edit | edit source]

* PCP HIV AIDS Toolkit
* Wikipedia: HIV

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ Wikipedia: HIV