Post #4- Biological Evolutionary History of HIV

Biological Evolutionary History of HIV

  Scientists believe that HIV is a mutation of the SIV virus that came from the Chimpanzee’s hunted by humans in Africa.  Once the humans came into contact with the infected blood it then mutated into the HIV virus.  The acronym HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.  The acronym AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.  Although there are two types of HIV, generally in the United States HIV-1 is the most common.  The HIV virus gradually destroys the immune system by attaching itself to the T cells which help the body fight off diseases.  It can be contracted through unprotected sex with a carrier of the virus, the sharing of needles during the use of illegal drugs, or being born of a mother with HIV.  This virus is a buffer that prevents the body’s immune system from doing it’s job. This puts the carrier of the virus at risk for catching diseases that they would otherwise not fall victim too.