This video explains the life cycle of HIV and how it attacks the body's immune system, particularly the CD4 cells. It also discusses how antiretroviral medication (ARVs) can reduce HIV reproduction by interrupting this life cycle, thereby helping individuals adhere to HIV treatment and prevent further infections.

Millions of people live with HIV, a disease that weakens the body's defense against ordinary infections. The body's defense is the immune system, which is made up of white blood cells, antibodies, and other cells. CD4, a type of white blood cell, fights off invaders. However, HIV attacks these CD4 cells. The HIV life cycle begins when HIV attaches itself to the CD4 cell and transfers its proteins and genetic materials into it. Next, an HIV enzyme called reverse transcriptase converts HIV RNA into HIV DNA. An integrase enzyme then integrates the HIV DNA into the host CD4 cell's DNA. Following this, the protease enzyme processes the produced HIV material for assembly into an immature virus. Finally, mature HIV materials are released into the body, where the cycle starts over again. Unfortunately, there is no cure for HIV, but antiretroviral medication, or ARVs, can reduce HIV reproduction by interrupting the HIV life cycle. Entry inhibitors prevent HIV material from entering CD4 cells, while reverse transcriptase inhibitors stop the reverse transcriptase enzymes from converting HIV RNA into HIV DNA. Later, integrase inhibitors block the HIV integrase enzyme from integrating HIV DNA into CD4 DNA. Protease inhibitors then block the protease enzymes from enabling the production of new HIV material. By learning more about HIV and ARVs, you are better able to adhere to HIV treatment and protect others from getting infected.