HIV infects **helper T cells**. Here's why:
1. Helper T cells, also known as CD4+ T cells, play a crucial role in the immune system by coordinating the body's immune response to infections.
2. HIV specifically targets and infects helper T cells by binding to the CD4 receptor present on the surface of these cells.
3. Once inside the helper T cell, HIV replicates and damages the cell, leading to a decline in the number of functional helper T cells in the body.
4. As the number of helper T cells decreases due to HIV infection, the immune system becomes weakened, making the body more susceptible to opportunistic infections and other complications.
5. Therefore, HIV primarily infects and impairs the function of helper T cells, ultimately compromising the immune system's ability to fight off infections effectively.
