Organ Systems Affected By Hiv

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

Get the Facts

Understanding the Immune System

Introduction Key Organs of the Immune System HIV and the Immune System Footnotes Introduction The immune system is made up of cells and organs that protect your body from outside invaders such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites (germs) that can cause infection, disease, and even death. The immune system also gets rid of abnormal cancerous cells that are growing out of control. When functioning properly, it fights off...

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 where I am, I was wondering if masturbating occasionally has any detrimental effect on the progression of the hiv. Does it do anything to my immune...

Response from David Wohl, M.D.

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

The good news is that years of scientific research has failed to find any adverse effects of masturbation. So, your mom was wrong. There are therapeutic vaccines being studied. They aim to augment HIV therapy and produce immune response to HIV... Read more »

Affecting central nervous system (CNS)

How does the HIV affects the CNS? which are the symptoms? thanks Theo...

Response from Brian Boyle, M.D., J.D.

Cornell University, Weill Medical College

HIV can affect the central nervous system (CNS) in many ways, both directly and by causing poor immune function which allows other pathogens or diseases to do damage. This can lead to many, many symptoms and problems including dementia, meningitis,... Read more »

could public exposure affect my immune system?

Hi Doctor.I have been diagnose is aids, now I'm in treatment and my cd4 raise up from 39-cd4(9 month ago)- to 458 cd4 now.I just wonder if I take public transportation and work directly with people could that affect my immune system since...

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

Stanford University, School of Medicine

Glad you have had a great treatment response. Yes, there is always the risk of acquiring infections from other people, but your immune system is now in much better shape to handle that. Washing your hands or keeping alcohol rub handy will prevent a... Read more »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Connect With Others

Immuno suppressant drug affecting results?

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I noted one anon msg(12/7/04,10.51am) on the possible inaccuracy of the HIV test when there is immunosuppressant drug used and that test should be conduct 6 months.
I have been reading this lively forum and now I am concerned for myself.
I have an... Read more »

Risk of hiv by Vacutainer Blood Collection System

Posted by sinso

My anxiety its Killing Me.
When i went to take my test for my past interocuorse the nurse use a vacutainer System.
As you know The Vacutainer System consists of a doubleDouble-tussin dm-pointed needle, a plastic holder or adapter and a series of... Read more »

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 »

HIV Tracking System

Posted by ScotCharles, 1 Reply

Did anyone know this was going on? How is our privacy guaranteed?

HIV Tracking System May Be Scrapped

California uses codes instead of names to protect patient privacy, but even some former supporters say coding is too cumbersome.

By Charles... 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 >>