Final answer:
The HIV virus primarily stays in white blood cells called CD4 T cells and can also establish latent infections. It integrates its genetic material into the cell's DNA and can reactivate at any time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The HIV virus, which causes AIDS, stays in the human body primarily in white blood cells called CD4 T cells. These cells are an important part of the immune system. The virus enters these cells and uses them to replicate and spread throughout the body.
In particular, the virus targets cells with the CD4 receptor, such as helper T cells. Once inside the cell, the virus integrates its genetic material into the cell's DNA, making it difficult for the immune system to detect and eliminate the virus.
HIV can also establish latent infections in some cells, which means that the virus remains dormant and hidden from the immune system. Latently infected cells can reactivate and start producing new virus particles at any time, leading to the progression of the infection.
Learn more about HIV virus location in the human body