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Human Immunodeficiency Virus »

HIV facts

• The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a type of virus called a retrovirus, which infects humans when it comes in contact with tissues such as those that line the vagina, anal area, mouth, or eyes, or through a break in the skin.
• HIV infection is generally a slowly progressive disease in which the virus is present throughout the body at all stages of the disease.
• Three stages of HIV infection have been described.
1. The initial stage of infection (primary infection), which occurs within weeks of acquiring the virus, and often is characterized by a flu- or mono-like illness that generally resolves within weeks.
2. The stage of chronic asymptomatic infection (meaning a long duration of infection without symptoms) lasts an average of eight to 10 years.
3. The stage of symptomatic infection, in which the body's immune (or defense) system has...

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