HIV primarily enters the body through blood, sexual contact, or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. Once inside, HIV targets CD4+ T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. The virus binds to the CD4 receptor and co-receptors (CCR5 or CXCR4) on the surface of these cells, then fuses with the cell membrane, allowing its RNA to enter and initiate replication.
