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How does HIV lead to AIDS?

In spite of all that has been written and talked about, the mechanism of action of HIV is not clearly understood. The leading theory states that HIV, once it’s allowed to directly enter the bloodstream, will seek out and invade the CD4 Helper T-lymphocytes (also known as T4 helper cells). After a while, HIV combines it’s RNA with the RNA of the T-cell, resulting in a new form of DNA. Instead of killing the cell right off, HIV effectively re-programs the T-cell to become a “virus factory,” reproducing and releasing more HIV into the bloodstream. The new viruses then seek out other T-cells and repeat the process. Eventually, the T-cells die off and new ones are not produced. At this point, the individual begins to become susceptible to opportunistic infections. Many ultimately get sick and die as a result of these infections.

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