Hiv

             HIV transmission occurs most commonly during sexual contact with an infected partner. With this mode of transmission, the virus can enter the body through the mucosal lining s of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum or rarely through the mouth. But, HIV can also be transmitted through direct contact with infected blood and a woman transmitting it to her fetus or baby. The likelihood of .
             transmission can increase due to damaged tissue linings. Approximately one-quarter to one-third of all untreated pregnant women infected with HIV will pass the infection to their babies.(3) HIV can also be spread to babies through the breast milk of infected mothers. If the drug AZT is taken during pregnancy, the chance of transmitting HIV to the baby is significanltly reduced. Researchers have discovered cells called dendritic cells, which may begin the infection process after sexual exposure by binding to the virus and transporting it to the lymph nodes where other immune system cells become infected. HIV is frequently spread among injection drug users by the sharing of needles or syringes contaminated with minute quantities of blood of someone infected with the virus. (3) Once the HIV virus enters the body, it infects a huge number of CD4+ cells and replicates rapidly. During the primary phase of infection, the blood contains many viral particles that spread through the body and seed itself in various organs, particularly the lymph organs. During the acute phase, the CD4+ cells decrease by 20 to 40%.(2) Approximately t!.
             wo to four weeks after the initial infection, 70 to 80% of HIV infected persons suffer flu-like symptoms related to the acute phase of the infection. During this phase, the immune system fights back, which reduces the HIV levels in the blood. One reason HIV is different from other viruses is due to a person's immune response. It is impossible for the immune system to destroy the virus.