Read about a team of researchers, led by Dr. Benhur Lee, who have identified a broad spectrum antiviral that may be effective against multiple deadly viruses, including HIV-1, Ebola, and Nipah.
HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV attacks the immune system by destroying CD4 positive (CD4+) T cells, a type of white blood cell that is vital to fighting off infection. The destruction of these cells leaves people infected with HIV vulnerable to other infections, diseases and other complications.
AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. A person infected with HIV is diagnosed with AIDS when he or she has one or more opportunistic infections, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, and has a dangerously low number of CD4+ T cells (less than 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood).
Last Updated April 03, 2012
Last Reviewed September 17, 2008