| | The '''Human Immunodeficiency Virus''' ('''HIV''') is the virus that causes [[AIDS]]. It is a lentivirus, which is a type of [[Retrovirus]]. There are 2 known versions of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, both originally from monkeys, and both extremely virulent. The virus causes AIDS by infecting vital cells in the immune system, specifically the T helper cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, without which, the immune system is rendered non-functioning. The virus itself is believed to be originally Simian Immunodeficiency Virus, that has evolved to target humans effectively. The virus is originally from [[Africa]], as bushmeat hunters were infected, and through transfer of bodily fluid to other people, eventually found itself in North America, and subsequently, the rest of the world. HIV does not have an effective [[vaccine]] despite decades of attempts.<ref name="Beckers">https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/pharmacy/hiv-vaccine-trial-halted-after-phase-3-failure.html</ref> | | The '''Human Immunodeficiency Virus''' ('''HIV''') is the virus that causes [[AIDS]]. It is a lentivirus, which is a type of [[Retrovirus]]. There are 2 known versions of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, both originally from monkeys, and both extremely virulent. The virus causes AIDS by infecting vital cells in the immune system, specifically the T helper cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, without which, the immune system is rendered non-functioning. The virus itself is believed to be originally Simian Immunodeficiency Virus, that has evolved to target humans effectively. The virus is originally from [[Africa]], as bushmeat hunters were infected, and through transfer of bodily fluid to other people, eventually found itself in North America, and subsequently, the rest of the world. HIV does not have an effective [[vaccine]] despite decades of attempts.<ref name="Beckers">https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/pharmacy/hiv-vaccine-trial-halted-after-phase-3-failure.html</ref> |
| | A French team of researchers has been given primary credit for the discovery, although the American scientist Gallo apparently discovered it independently. | | A French team of researchers has been given primary credit for the discovery, although the American scientist Gallo apparently discovered it independently. |