2. 1 and 2.2 – Introduction and aims

2.1 Introduction

Section 2 provides information about HIV as a virus.

HIV as a virus. HIV lifecycle. What happens after you become HIV positive? How is HIV monitored? Viral load tests, Drug resistance.

2.2 Aims for this section

Reading section 2 will give you a basic understanding of the following.

• The definition of HIV.
• The different causes of illness: viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.
• Viral load in early and chronic infection. And the natural history of HIV.
• The impact of coinfections on HIV viral load.
• Viral load tests and their accuracy.
• Viral load and whether or not you are on HIV treatment (ART).
• The HIV viral life cycle.
• A basic theory of resistance.
• CD4 count and viral load graphs and they are related.

Last updated: 1 January 2023.