This sequence shows a new viral particle being assembled and then migrating out
of the host cell to infect new cells.
Once the viral protein parts have been built, they are assembled into a new HIV
particle. This particle is an exact duplicate of the HIV particle from which it
sprung, complete with two copies of viral RNA and the enzymes needed for
reverse transcription. The new HIV particle moves out of the cell, where it
heads off to infect another cell and perpetuate the life cycle.
This process repeats itself continuously, with many thousands of HIV particles
produced simultaneously in the body. After repeated assaults by viral
particles, host cells die, having exhausted their energy and molecular building
supplies while generating HIV viruses. This suppresses a patient's immune
system and leaves him or her open to infection by other infectious agents,
including bacteria, fungi, and other viruses.