HIV is the virus which causes the fatal disease of the immune system, AIDS.
At least 28 million people worldwide have died from Aids – their bodies' defense systems ravaged by
the HIV virus to the point where everyday infections become life-threatening.
More than 20 years since HIV was first recognized, there remains no vaccine against HIV and no cure
for Aids, although a new generation of drugs has dramatically extended the life expectancy of those
who contract HIV.
Office of
HIV/AIDS Ministry
Archdiocese of Atlanta
680 W. Peachtree St., NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
Tel. (404) 885-7207
Irene Miranda,
Director
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The HIV virus attacking an immune cell.
HOW HIV REPLICATES
1. Virus attaches: Proteins on the
HIV virus "dock" with CD4 receptors
on the target cell.
2. Genes copied: The HIV virus
makes a copy of its own genetic
material.
3. Replication: The virus inserts this
copy into the host cell’s DNA. When
the cell reproduces, it manufactures
the parts of the HIV virus.
4. Release: The parts are
assembled and form a "bud", which
breaks off to become a new HIV
virus.
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DISCLAIMER
Considering the nature of
the Internet, the
Archdiocese of Atlanta’s
HIV/AIDS Ministry cannot
take responsibility for the
contents of sites that may
be accessed through these
web pages. These links do
not represent, necessarily,
the position of the
Archdiocese of Atlanta’s
HIV/AIDS Ministry, much
less an archdiocesan
endorsement of a
particular site.
A mature selective criteria
on the part of the user is
necessary when using the
Internet. In general, we
strongly recommend
parents to supervise their
children while surfing the
Net. While avoiding
censorship, we make every
effort to post suitable
information and links
which may be of value to
understand HIV/AIDS. It is
the user's responsibility to
decide whether or not a
particular site is
appropriate, according to
the user’s personal criteria.
HIV - the Human Immunodeficiency Virus - targets the immune system, the very system which would
normally defend the body against infections.
The virus attacks a particular type of white blood cells called CD4+ cells. It hijacks the cell, inserts its
own genes into the cell's DNA and uses it to manufacture more virus particles. These go on to infect
other cells.
The CD4+ host cells eventually die, although scientists do not know exactly how.
The body's ability to fight diseases decreases as the number of CD4+ cells drops, until it reaches a
critical point at which the patient is said to have Aids - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
HIV is a particular kind of virus – a retrovirus. While simpler than ordinary viruses, retroviruses tend to
be harder to defeat.
They embed their genes into the DNA of the cells they target, so that any new cells that the host cell
produces also contain the virus genes.
Retroviruses also copy their genes into the target cell with a high level of error. In combination with
HIV's high replication rate, this means the virus mutates at speed as it spreads.
Furthermore, the "envelope" the HIV virus particle is contained inside is made of the same material
as some human cells, making it difficult for the immune system to distinguish between virus particles
and healthy cells.
The HIV virus - present in blood and sexual fluids.
HIV is present in the blood, sexual fluids and breast milk of people who are infected with the virus. It is
passed on when these infected fluids get into another person's system.
You can contract HIV by:
• Having unprotected sexual intercourse with someone who is infected
• Sharing needles or body piercing equipment with someone who is infected
• Being given a transfusion of infected blood
• Allowing infected fluids to get into a cut or sore anywhere on your body
• Babies born to HIV positive women can be infected during pregnancy and birth, or through breast
feeding
HIV is present in the saliva of an infected person, but not in quantities sufficient to transmit infection.
Once infected fluids have dried, the risk of them transmitting the virus is considered to be close to
zero.
No protective method other than abstinence is 100% safe. Injecting drug users can reduce the risk of
contracting HIV by not sharing needles.
HIV Myths
HIV cannot be caught:
• through the air, or by coughing and sneezing
• by kissing, touching or shaking hands
• by sharing crockery or cutlery
• through contact with toilet seats
• through insect or animal bites
• through swimming pools
• by eating food prepared by someone with HIV
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