How the HIV Infection Cycle Works

How the HIV Infection Cycle Works - Animated microbiology

HIV gradually destroys the immune system by attacking and destroying a type of white blood cell called a CD4 cell. CD4 cells play a major role in protecting the body from infection.

HIV uses the machinery of the CD4 cells to multiply and spread throughout the body. This process, which is carried out in seven steps or stages, is called the HIV life cycle. HIV medicines protect the immune system by blocking HIV at different stages of the HIV life cycle.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection. People on ART take a combination of HIV medicines from at least two different HIV drug classes every day. Because each class of drugs is designed to target a specific step in the HIV life cycle, ART is very effective at preventing HIV from multiplying.