Hiv Immunity

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Get the Facts

How HIV Damages the Immune System

Introduction The basic structure of HIV is similar to that of other viruses (Figure 1 ). HIV has a core of genetic material surrounded by a protective sheath, called a capsid . The genetic material in the core is RNA (ribonucleic acid), which contains the information that the virus needs in order to replicate (make more copies of itself) and perform other functions. You can think of RNA as the set of rules the virus follows in order to...

Ask the Experts

Confued about HIV+ and HIV- immune systems

Hi,My understanding is that there is a typically a 50-75 CD4 count decline per year in a HIV+ positive person's immune system and a 3% (?) fall. I also understand that the CD4/CD8 ratio will invest. My questions are what is a typical immune...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

This particular forum is exclusively for the discussion of the side effects of HIV therapy for use by patients and their health care providers.... Read more »

Allergy Meds, HIV & Immune Reconstitution Syndrome

I have a question regarding allergy meds and a 20-y/o HIV infection.I started treatment, about twenty years ago, in ACTG019 (AZT monotherapy for people with >500 CD4+ T cells). I've noticed that during the last ten years or so, my allergy...

Response from Brian Conway, M.D.

University of British Columbia

Singulair might well blunt the symptoms of an immune reconstitution syndrome by acting as an antiinflammatory agent (inhibiting leukotrienes). I am not sure I understand how this could be a bad thing, though. As much as this process is involved in... Read more »

HIV & Immune System

Hello Dr. Holodniy:Is there a test available that would tell the current recovery state a HIV+ persons immune system is in since being on ART (Atripla) for a year? Current CD4 count is 575, up from 227 a year ago before starting ART.Thank you Doctor....

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

Although there are some research-based tests that can assess the function of certain kinds of immune system cells, these are not performed in the normal course of clinical care. The CD4 absolute count and percentage is therefore used as a proxy, as... Read more »

HIV and no immune system

Hi Dr.,I recently tested negative for HIV but am wondering about the accuracy of the blood test. I had my spleen removed in 1998 and have no immune system. Will HIV antibodies show up in my blood work or is there another test I should have?...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,Having "no spleen" and "no immune system" are two completely different things! True, the spleen is indeed part of the body's very complex "immune system," but certainly not all of it. Even with your spleen... Read more »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Connect With Others

Immune system & HIV detection

Posted by andypb, 1 Reply

What is compromised/ supressed immune system.

Does compromised/ weak immune system take more time to produce antibody to HIV infection.

Would a Person having as low Cd 4 counts 350 is considered to have compromised immune system.

Do such person with... Read more »

Compromised immune system always = HIV?

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

I have a bacterial infection that in most people goes away within a few weeks. But I have had it for so long that my doctor says I must have a compromised immune system and said that it could be HIV. I don't know what to think. I've had 2 sexual... Read more »

will vitamins and Immune system booster affect hiv test results??

Posted by xrayvison, 3 Replies

I have a quick question. I am going to get an hiv test done soon but I was wondering since I take a high dose of immune system boosters like vitamin c, zinc, and vitamin d as a supplement for healthy living, would this affect the outcome of my test... Read more »

Suppressed immune system

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Hello,

I was just wondering what types of things suppress your immune system, which I know can delay your HIV test from coming up positive? Read more »

Connect on Our Bulletin Boards »

Tools

My Health Tracker

Assess Your Risk for HIV

Find Local HIV/AIDS Services

Resource Centers

Guides for People With HIV

View All of Our Guides >>