Changes

After infection with [[HIV]], the virus quickly replicates in lymphatic tissue and travels through the blood to infect most areas of the body.  The largest consequence of this is the "hijacking" of certain immune cells, especially so-called T-Helper, or CD-4, cells.  Early in the infection, the immune system holds the infection at bay, often causing "Acute Retroviral Syndrome", a flu-like illness.  After approximately 8-10 years of infection, the immune system begins to lose its battle.  This is primarily seen in the loss of numbers of CD4 cells, however the changes are somewhat more complex.  When the CD4 cell level drops low enough, AIDS becomes apparent.

After infection with [[HIV]], the virus quickly replicates in lymphatic tissue and travels through the blood to infect most areas of the body.  The largest consequence of this is the "hijacking" of certain immune cells, especially so-called T-Helper, or CD-4, cells.  Early in the infection, the immune system holds the infection at bay, often causing "Acute Retroviral Syndrome", a flu-like illness.  After approximately 8-10 years of infection, the immune system begins to lose its battle.  This is primarily seen in the loss of numbers of CD4 cells, however the changes are somewhat more complex.  When the CD4 cell level drops low enough, AIDS becomes apparent.

The currently official view is that AIDS is the consequence of infection by [[Human Immunodeficiency Virus]] (HIV), which is spread through contact with body fluids from an infected individual. However, a sizeable number of scientists and other interested people believe that a causative connection between HIV and AIDS has never been proven. Details about these "re-thinkers" and their arguments can be found at several reliable websites: http://aras.ab.ca/index.php, http://www.reviewingaids.org/awiki/index.php/Main_Page, http://rethinkingaids.com.93.seekdotnet.com/. An older website, no longer being updated, has a useful bibliography of books and other writings by rethinkers: http://www.virusmyth.com/aids/

The currently official view is that AIDS is the consequence of infection by [[Human Immunodeficiency Virus]] (HIV), which is spread through contact with body fluids from an infected individual. However, a sizeable number of scientists and other interested people believe that a causative connection between HIV and AIDS has never been proven. Details about these "re-thinkers" and their arguments can be found at several reliable websites: http://aras.ab.ca/index.php, http://www.reviewingaids.org/awiki/index.php/Main_Page, http://rethinkingaids.com.93.seekdotnet.com/. An older website, no longer being updated, has a useful bibliography of books and other writings by rethinkers: http://www.virusmyth.com/aids/