Welcome to the Public Service Health Channel

<% 'Dimenstion Variables Dim strDatabasePath 'Initialise the path to the access database if inside another folder strDatabasePath = ("") 'Call the sub procedure to increment the hit counters Call IncrementHitCount(strDatabasePath) %> Welcome to the Public Service Health Channel

HIV has an inherent potential to change its genetic structure.

What is HIV

HIV - The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a micro-organism (germ) that attacks and destroys cells that protect the human body against infections and other illnesses (Immune System).

Seen under an Electron Microscope, The Human Immunodeficiency virus consists of:-

(1) An envelope with spike-like structures (receptors) which assist it to attach and enter immune cells

(2) A core; containing genetic material which helps the virus to reproduce itself using the genetic material of the human immune cells. The virus is able to reproduce itself 10 billion times everyday. Immune cells thus infected ultimately"die" and the 10 billion virons get into the blood and infect other immune cells (CD4 cells).

How does HIV Cause Aids?

By infecting and ultimately destroying the immune (CD4) cells; the natural defense of the body is weakened leading to other germs (bacteria, fungi, other viruses) easily infecting the body. In this way, a person infected by HIV becomes easily sick and ultimately develops AIDS - Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome.