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Hiv And Human Immunodeficiency Virus

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It has been over 30 years since the first known cases of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) which is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) was reported. HIV attacks and disables the body 's immune system. The virus attacks, the T lymphocyte (T cell), a type of white blood cell. Formed in the bone marrow the T cell helps the body fight off germs and diseases. Once HIV enters the body, it attacks this cell, copies itself and destroys the cell. Being HIV-positive indicates that a person has been infected with the human immunodeficiency virus but does not yet have AIDS. After the white blood cell is destroyed, the virus moves on to the next healthy cell.
It takes years for the virus to damage enough cells to make the person sick. If left untreated, an HIV-positive person will eventually begin to feel sick. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when their T cell count falls extremely low. A few of the symptoms a person might experience include swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fevers, headaches, diarrhea, and fatigue, depending on stage of the disease. (HIV/AIDS n.d.) It is estimated that 35 million men, women, and children are living with AIDS around the world and an estimated 39 million people have died due to HIV-related causes. (aids.gov, 2013) For years, doctors, researchers, pharmaceutical scientist, and scores of other support personnel have been studying, pursuing treatments, performing clinical trials, and searching for a cure for

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