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How HIV Impacts the Human Body
When HIV enters the bloodstream, the virus starts seeking a particular form of white blood cell (lymphocyte) essential to the functioning of the immune system. This cell is called a T-Helper lymphocyte. One of its functions is to "orchestrate" the immune system in the event of attack from harmful foreign invaders, pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing organisms. It is also referred to as the T4 or the CD4 cell.
When the HIV makes contact with the T-cell, the T-cell sends signals to other cells, which produce antibodies. Antibodies are produced by the immune system to help get rid of specific foreign invaders that can cause infection.
Producing antibodies is an essential function of our immune systems. The body makes a specific antibody for each infection. For example, if we are exposed to measles virus, the immune system will develop antibodies specifically designed to attack the measles virus. Polio antibodies fight polio virus. When our immune system is working correctly, it protects against these harmful pathogens.
What is unusual and frustrating about HIV is that the antibodies produced to fight the virus are not able to do so, since HIV captures the cells that signal antibodies to be produced. This results in the eventual decline of the immune system.
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AIDS
