How Aids Virus Destroys The Immune System

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

Can HIV compromize the immune system without another disease involved?

Are there studies about HIV positive people with severly compromized immune systems with none of the diseases associated with AIDS? I'm interested if the HIV virus itself has been proven to destroy the immune system of an otherwise healthy...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

The HIV virus destroys CD4+ T-cells resulting in a chronically activated and damaged immune system without any other germs necessary for the process.... Read more »

Immune System Enhancement

Hello Bob, I'd like to start by appreciating the immense hope you're rendering to all HIV+ patients and their close ones. My younger sister has been diagnosed HIV+ earlier this month and she has a current CD4 count of 665. Here in...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello Sam,Thank you for your very kind comments. They are warmly appreciated. I'm sorry to hear about your sister's recent diagnosis.Regarding over-the-counter drugs or foodstuffs to keep the CD4 count high, unfortunately there are none.... Read more »

HIV develops escape mutations to evade immune system

Hi Dr. Bob I just want to know your thoughts about this recent discovery. And also as a result of this discovery does that mean that HIV can possibly stay dormant (would Antibody test be unreliable diagnostic procedure? Here is the full article:...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,The article you reference is a short review that discusses the genetics of HIV evolution. We have known for some time that HIV mutates (changes) fairly rapidly. That's how it manages to become resistant to so many of the antiretroviral... Read more »

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 a dermatologist and she said it was herpes simplex 1. She said that it was strange to see herpes on the palm of the hand. She also mention about...

Response from Ewald Horwath, M.D.

University of Miami School of Medicine

No, if you were infected 6 months ago, you would not develop symptoms like Herpes due to HIV so quickly. However, Herpes infection can occur in people who are HIV negative. It is unusual on the palm. If your concerned about HIV, you should get... Read more »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Connect With Others

Immune System Booster

Posted by kinzie1, 2 Replies

Hi,

I do not have hiv or aids but a good friend of mine passed away a few years ago from it. I

live in Arizona. I was wondering if anybody has heard about mangosteen juice a new

product that is doing amazing things as an Immune System Booster. I also... Read more »

Weak immune system vs time to produce antibodies

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Hello everyone
I believe I have been infected with Hiv. I havnt been tested yet but I have many of the symptoms associated with ARS
The source of my possible infection had a confirmed std but tested negative for Hiv at 3-4 months. Is it possible that... Read more »

The immune system

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The immune system may be able to come back more powerfully than anyone thought after a break in treatment with AIDS drugs, researchers said Wednesday.

They said in patients who had decided to interrupt their complex HIV drug... Read more »

Immune System Booster

Posted by kinzie1, 4 Replies

Hi,

I do not have aids but a good friend of mine passed away a few years ago from it. I

live in Arizona. I was wondering if anybody has heard about mangosteen juice a new

product that is doing amazing things as an Immune System Booster. I also... 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 >>