Quick Answer
HIV replicates by entering a host cell, converting its RNA into DNA using reverse transcriptase, and integrating that DNA into the cell's genome. The cell then produces new viral particles. Modern antiretroviral therapy can suppress replication to undetectable levels, preventing progression to AIDS.
- HIV is a retrovirus that uses RNA to make DNA inside host cells.
- Reverse transcriptase is the enzyme that converts viral RNA into DNA.
- The viral DNA integrates into the host cell's genome via integrase.
- Macrophages and CD4 T cells are primary targets for HIV replication.
- Replication occurs in the cytoplasm, not the nucleus, after integration.
- Undetectable viral load means HIV cannot be transmitted sexually.
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Understanding how HIV replicates is key to grasping why treatment works and how the virus evades the immune system. Unlike many viruses, HIV is a retrovirus: it must reverse-transcribe its RNA into DNA before inserting that DNA into a host cell's chromosomes. This integration makes HIV a permanent part of the cell, but modern antiretroviral drugs can block each step of replication, reducing viral load to undetectable levels. This process distinguishes HIV from AIDS, which is the late stage of untreated infection when the immune system is severely damaged.
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Sources & Further Reading
- CDC — Sexually Transmitted Infections
- CDC STI Treatment Guidelines
- WHO — Sexually transmitted infections fact sheet
- MedlinePlus — Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Figures reflect CDC surveillance and WHO estimates; they are population statistics, not personal risk predictions.