How HIV Weakens Your Immune System | Medical Animation

[00:00:00]HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, enters the body and begins searching for specific immune cells called CD4 T cells, which help protect you from infections.

[00:00:10]Once HIV finds a CD4 cell, it attaches itself and enters the cell.

[00:00:16]The virus then takes control of the cell's machinery. Inside the infected CD4 cell, HIV rapidly copies itself.

[00:00:25]Thousands of new virus particles emerge and spread into the bloodstream.

[00:00:30]>> The HIV virus directly targets [music] and infects essential CD4 immune cells.

[00:00:35]As the virus replicates, the [music] body's primary line of defense is compromised.

[00:00:40]>> HIV often spreads through the lymphatic system, [music] where many immune cells are located.

[00:00:46]This allows the virus to multiply efficiently.

[00:00:50]When defenses are weak, infections enter easily. Watch as pathogens overcome immune barriers.

[00:00:57]This directly floods the lymph node.

[00:01:00]>> When the immune system [music] becomes severely weakened, infections that are normally harmless can become dangerous.

[00:01:07]These are called opportunistic [music] infections.

[00:01:10]>> Modern antiretroviral therapy, known as ART, can stop HIV from multiplying. With proper treatment, many people with HIV live long, healthy lives. Effective treatment allows [music] CD4 cells to recover, helping the immune system become stronger and better able to protect the body.

[00:01:28]>> HIV attacks the immune system. Modern treatment can control the virus. This helps people live healthy lives. Early testing and care make a huge difference.