Photo Gallery: AIDS

A colored transmission electron micrograph image captures the HIV virus budding from the surface of a T-lymphocyte white blood cell. The virus particles attack T-lymphocytes, stealing their genetic machinery, thereby forcing them to produce more copies of the virus. The new virus particles then erupt from the cell to infect other T-lymphocytes. As these are a vital part of the immune system, the disease severely weakens immunity, making victims susceptible to seemingly harmless infections.