ETIOLOGY AND STAGES OF HIV INFECTION

HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, spreads via certain body fluids; specifically attacks the CD4, or T cells, of the immune system; and uses those cells to make copies of itself. HIV is unable to grow or reproduce on its own and depends on a host cell for the raw materials and the energy necessary for all the biochemical activities that allow the virus to reproduce. As time passes, the virus can destroy enough of these specialized cells that the immune system no longer is able to fight off infections and disease.

HIV is unique among many other viruses because the body is unable to destroy it completely, even with treatment. As a result, once a person is infected with the virus, the person will have it for the remainder of their life (CDC, 2022b).

Following transmission of the virus, the individual will typically progress through three stages of illness.

• Stage 1: Acute infection is the earliest stage, when seroconversion takes place, and the person is very contagious.
• Stage 2: Clinical latency or chronic HIV. During this stage, the virus is still active and continues to reproduce. This stage can last for 10–15 years, and immunosuppression gradually develops. The person may be asymptomatic and can transmit the virus to others. People who take HIV treatment as prescribed may never move into the next stage (AIDS).
• Stage 3: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the final, severe stage of HIV infection, at which point the immune system is severely damaged and opportunistic infections (OIs) or cancers begin to appear. The person with AIDS can have a high viral load and may easily transmit HIV to others.
  (CDC, 2022b)