How HIV Affects Immune System

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

Ask the Experts

HIV life cycle, and how HIV affects the immune system

Hi Rick, When Hiv attaches itself to a lymphocyte, is the lymphocyte actually a gland as in the neck or armpit, and does this then become a reproduction factory for HIV with an abundance of T-cells coming from the gland? Thank you for your...

Response from Rick Sowadsky, M.P.H.

Nevada State Health Division AIDS Program

Thank you for your question. HIV infects cells of the immune system called CD4 cells. There are many CD4 cells inside the lymph nodes. These cells can also be found all throughout the body.When HIV enters a CD4 cell, the cell itself becomes a... Read more »

Does masturbation adversely affect immune system?

I have just been diganosed hiv+, and while I wait for the results of my complete bloodwork to see... Read more »

Response from David Wohl, M.D. »

How long for the immune system to become affected by virus?

Hello i have a question. This past weekend i noticed a rash on my palm, and on monday i went with... Read more »

Response from Ewald Horwath, M.D. »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Articles

Study Examines Gender Differences in Immune System's Response to HIV

New research showing that "a receptor molecule involved in the recognition of HIV-1 responds to the virus differently in women than in men," might "explain why HIV infection progresses faster to AIDS in women than in men with similar viral loads,"... Read more »

Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange

The Immune System, HIV and Shrinking Brains

In the previous report , researchers in London, UK, found very little changes in the brains of medically stable HIV-positive men compared with those of HIV-negative men of similar age and educational background. However, the London team used a... Read more »

Enhancing Your Immune System the Natural Way ... With Food

When I found out I was HIV-positive, suddenly the words "immune system" took on a new sense of relevance and urgency in my life. I decided right away on a path of natural means to keep my immune system strong. I did some research and decided that... Read more »

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

HIV Transmission Among Male Inmates in a State Prison System -- Georgia, 1992-2005

The estimated prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is nearly five times higher for incarcerated populations (2.0%) 1 than for the general U.S. population (0.43%). 2 In 1988, the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)... Read more »

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 »

two immune systems?????

Posted by Anonymous

I think there are two immune systems. One that fights colds, flu's and stuff like that. The other fights OI's (opportunist Infections). So, that would explain why people with AIDS don't get colds and the flu.
The immune systems are described below... Read more »

immune system

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Would persisted symptoms such as yeast infections,sores in nose,coated tounge ,that keep comming back be a sign of a poor immune system,and if so how bad would the immune system have to be not to produce detectable antibody's by 6 months.I can't... Read more »

Stress/lack of sleep/anxiety,effect immune system?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

Do these things make you more suseptible to colds, flu, etc?

I haven't slept for a while now, (weeks) haven't eaten all that great, and Im usually so anxious/nervous/worried that I can't concentrate and have a 24 hr. a day 7 days a week headache....

D... 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 >>