Respiratory System And Aids

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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...

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Respiratory Ailment

Dear Dr. Feinberg: Hi! I am sitting here with tears filled eyes. I've been on this website since 5:30 am. It is now 11:15 am and I must say that this is the best website concerning Hiv/Aids issues I've yet to come upon. The problem is...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

There is some evidence that there is an increased risk of pulmonary hypertension (but not COPD) in people with HIV. Even if that association proves to be correct, there is no clear means by which HIV itself causes pulmonary hypertension, so I... Read more »

Respiratory question

I have recently been diagnosed as having acquired HIV. My CD4 count is 198 and my viral load is 68,000. I was asked to get tested because I presented to my general practitoner with a flu but I had oral thrush and sore lymph nodes in my arm pits....

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

An evaluation of your lungs for pneumonia/PCP would be advisable. If no evidence for PCP then prophylaxis is recommended. If your CD4 count doesn't rebound quickly (which can happen after acute HIV infection) then you may be a fast progressor... Read more »

What percentage of immune system differentiates between HIV and AIDS

I have heard that if the immune system is 20% or lower, then a person with HIV is considered to have AIDS. Is this true?...

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

Stanford University, School of Medicine

The definition of AIDS in someone diagnosed with HIV infection is a CD4 count < 200 or < 14%.... Read more »

HIV to AIDS immune system

Hello Dr. McGovern, can you tell me what changes occur in the immune system when an HIV patient becomes an AIDS patient?...

Response from Barbara McGovern, M.D.

Tufts University School of Medicine

This is usually marked by a CD4 count less than 200 cells or the onset of a particular type of illness that suggests a weakened immune system. Please refer your HIV questions to the HIV forum.... Read more »

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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 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 »

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 »

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 »

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