Where does HIV live in the body?

* Lymph nodes: These are small, bean-shaped organs that are located throughout the body. They are part of the immune system and help to filter out bacteria, viruses, and other foreign particles from the blood. HIV can infect the cells in the lymph nodes and use them to make more copies of the virus.

* Blood: HIV can also be found in the blood plasma, which is the liquid part of the blood. However, the amount of HIV in the blood plasma is usually very low, and it is not infectious unless it comes into contact with susceptible cells.

* Other body fluids: HIV can also be found in other body fluids, such as semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. These fluids can transmit HIV if they come into contact with the mucous membranes of another person.

* Gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT): GALT is a type of lymphoid tissue that is found in the gut. It is involved in the immune response to antigens in the gut, and it is a major target for HIV infection.

* Central nervous system (CNS): HIV can also infect the cells in the CNS, including the brain and spinal cord. This can lead to a variety of neurological problems, including dementia, memory loss, and movement disorders.