What Does HIV Stand For

HIV is a virus that damages your immune system and causes AIDS. What does HIV stand for? It stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. To break that down ‘Human’ means it is a human based virus and is not transmitted between species. Immunodeficiency is of two parts, Immune and Deficiency. The virus attacks the immune system of the body lowering the levels of CD4 in the blood. It attacks the lymphoreticular system damaging CD4 T cells, CD4 macrophages and CD4 monocytes and also B cells. It also attacks various endothelial cells. Within the nervous system it targets microglia cells which are the primary force of defense for the immune system.

HIV can be transmitted only by bodily fluids and typically through sexual intercourse. AIDS cannot be transmitted however. AIDS develops after HIV when a series of “opportunistic infections” are contracted due to the low immunity of the person infected with HIV. These infections are often rare on their own but when someone develops AIDS they can contract them regularly or all at the same time. If you suspect you may have been exposed to HIV, you should go see your doctor for a HIV Antibody test. This test will detect the levels of antibodies in your blood that your body has developed to fight the virus, and is much quicker and cheaper than testing for the virus itself. This test cannot detect AIDS; a separate test will be required for this that detects the levels of CD4 in the blood. The HIV Antibody test can be taken a couple of weeks after infection for the antibody levels to be detectable.