Retroviral Pathogenesis

Retroviral pathogenesis involves how retroviruses, like HIV, infect and damage the body. These viruses enter host cells, particularly immune cells, and insert their genetic material into the host's DNA. This process hijacks the cell’s machinery to produce more viruses, weakening the immune system over time. The destruction of immune cells leads to increased susceptibility to infections and certain cancers. The progression depends on how the virus replicates, evades the immune response, and causes long-term damage, ultimately impairing the body's ability to fight off illnesses.