Stages of HIV Reproduction

1. HIV enters a CD4+ Cell. CD4+ cells are white blood cells which help fight infections. They are also called "helper cells" or "T cells."
2. HIV is a retrovirus, meaning that its genetic information is stored on single-stranded RNA instead of the double-stranded DNA found in most organisms. To replicate, HIV uses an enzyme known as reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA into DNA.
3. HIV DNA enters the nucleus of the CD4 cell and inserts itself into the cell's DNA. Once they are taken over by HIV, CD4 cells can no longer protect your immune system. HIV DNA then instructs the cell to make many copies of the original virus.
4. New virus particles are assembled and leave the cell, ready to infect other CD4 cells. The constant attack and growth of the virus gradually wears down the immune system and weakens the body's defenses.