Final answer:
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, attacks the immune system's CD4+ T cells and is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids. It is especially prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and remains a global health challenge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Main Cause of HIV
The main cause of HIV, or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a retrovirus that targets the immune system, specifically the CD4+ T cells, leading to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV is transmitted through sexual contact or exposure to infected bodily fluids such as blood, semen, breast milk, and vaginal secretions. It is also passed from mother to fetus. The virus exploits the genetic machinery of T cells to replicate and spread throughout the body, which can lead to the severe weakening of the immune system and eventually, AIDS, characterized by opportunistic infections.
HIV is a global pandemic, with the highest prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, and has caused immense human and economic toll since it was first identified in 1981.