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Index 2.4 Other causes of illness2.5 HIV: Key facts 2.6 HIV: natural history

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Glossary Hide

HIV human immunodeficiency virus.

lymph node small bodies in the lymphatic system, particularly at the neck, armpit, and groin, that filter bacteria and foreign particles. During infection, lymph nodes may become swollen with white blood cells (lymphocytes) fighting the infection.

lymph (or lymphatic) system vessel, nodes, organs and clear fluid, that are part of the immune system.

virus infectious organism that can only reproduce inside the cell of another plant or animal.

viral load measurement of the amount of HIV virus in your body.

viral load test test that look at the amount of virus. This is usually in a small sample of blood, but viral load test can also be used to check viral levels in other kinds of sample like genital fluid, semen or spinal fluid.

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CD4 and viral load PowerPoint 100 Kb

Virology, HIV and viral load PDF 152 Kb

2 Virology, HIV and viral load

2.5 HIV infection: key facts

HIV is actually a difficult virus to catch, but at the same time people can become HIV-positive after only one exposure to the virus.
HIV dies within a minute or so in blood and other bodily fluids once they are outside the body. HIV is not infectious in saliva.
Levels of HIV are measured using viral load tests.
The risk of catching HIV is related to the risk of the virus coming into contact with broken skin or through cells that are close to the surface of the skin. The risk is highest when viral load is high.
The majority of people with HIV stay well for many years after they are infected.
Some people (less than 5%) will become ill within a few years and a few people (also less than 5%) can go for 15 years or more before they need treatment.
Although a lot of information about your health and HIV comes from blood tests, only 2% of the HIV in your body is in your blood.
Most HIV is in your lymph system and lymph nodes. These are the little lumps that sometimes get enlarged in your neck, under your arms, and in the crease between your legs and your body.

Treatment training for advocates

2 Virology, HIV and viral load

2.5 HIV infection: key facts