Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the most dangerous virus in the entire world; the most stubborn in the medical history.
Despite several years of research on the medication that can cure this virus, nothing has been found yet. The virus mainly targets the cells of the immune system called the CD4 cells.
According to a study by US-based Arik Cooper the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, there are two main ways the virus employs to kill the cells of the body causing slow death of the infected individuals.
The very first way is through hijacking where the virus attacks a CD4 cell, uses its resources to replicate and make millions of its copies known as virions which are more resistant and pathogenic to the individual's immune system.
These virions then move out of the CD4 cell through the cell wall. In the process, they perforate several holes on the wall of this cell causing its immediate death.
The second way through which the virus kills the individual is through the distortion of the host cell's (CD4) machinery. It uses the host cell's machinery to make its own millions of copies.
This causes what is called programmed cell death which scientifically referred to as apoptosis.
A normal individual's body contains approximately 500-1500 CD4 cells which are the 'holders' of the immune system. When an individual gets infected with HIV, these cells are killed by this virus and the individuals die when their numbers get too low.