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What Body System Does Hiv Affect
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HIV targets a type of cell that normally fights off an invader such as HIV. As the virus replicates, it damages or destroys the infected CD4+ cell and produces more virus to infect more CD4+ cells. Without treatment, this cycle continues in most infected people until the immune system is severely compromised, leaving them open to many serious infections and diseases. Many diseases that affect people with weakened immune systems are rare in people with normal immune systems.
The speed of progression of the virus depends on the person. Factors such as your age, general health, and speed of diagnosis and treatment can all make a difference.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the final stage of HIV infection. At this stage, the immune system is significantly weakened and the risk of opportunistic infections is much greater. Not all people infected with HIV will develop AIDS.
It is important to note that many of the effects described here are related to immune system failure in the progression of HIV and AIDS. Many of these effects can be prevented with early antiretroviral treatment, which can preserve the immune system. However, for those without effective antiretroviral treatment, these effects are possible.
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Your immune system protects your body from diseases and infections that come your way. White blood cells protect you from viruses, bacteria, and other organisms that can make you sick.
When HIV enters the body, it goes directly to CD4+ T cells, which are the backbone of the entire immune system. As the virus infects and kills more of these T cells, your immune system weakens and you become more susceptible to disease.
In the early stages, symptoms may be so mild as to be absent. Within a few months of infection, most people experience a flu-like illness that lasts for several weeks. Symptoms may include:
The first stage of HIV infection is called the acute infection stage. At this stage, the virus multiplies rapidly. You may not have serious symptoms, but you usually have high levels of the virus in your blood.
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Many people are currently unaware of their HIV status, but the risk of transmission in the acute stage of infection is very high. An acute infection can cause flu-like symptoms, including loss of appetite, headaches, night sweats, and more.
The next stage is called the clinical state of latent infection. On average, it lasts from 8 to 10 years. In some cases, it takes much longer. At this stage, you may or may not have symptoms.
When HIV progresses to AIDS, the body is prone to opportunistic infections. People with HIV/AIDS are at increased risk for many infections, including a herpes virus called cytomegalovirus. This can cause problems with the eyes, lungs and digestive tract.
Kaposi’s sarcoma, another possible infection, is a cancer of the blood vessel walls. It is rare in the general population but common in people with HIV. Symptoms include red or dark purple lesions on the mouth and skin. It can also cause problems with the lungs, digestive tract and other internal organs.
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HIV/AIDS also increases the risk of developing lymphoma. An early sign of lymphoma is enlarged lymph nodes.
HIV increases the risk of colds, flu, and pneumonia. According to the American Lung Association, HIV/AIDS can cause opportunistic lung diseases. Without preventive treatment, people with HIV are prone to tuberculosis, pneumonia, and pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). PCP causes breathing problems, cough and fever.
HIV increases the risk of pulmonary hypertension (PAH). PAH is a type of high blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs. This creates an additional burden on the heart.
If you have HIV and are immunocompromised (have low T-cell levels), you are at risk of developing tuberculosis (TB), which is the leading cause of death in people with AIDS. Tuberculosis is an airborne bacterium that affects the lungs. Symptoms include chest pain and a severe cough that may contain blood or sputum. Symptoms can last for months.
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A common infection associated with HIV is called candidiasis. Symptoms include inflammation and a white coating on the tongue. It can also cause inflammation of the esophagus, which can make eating difficult. Another viral infection that affects the mouth is oral hairy leukoplakia, which causes white patches on the tongue.
Salmonella infection is spread through contaminated food or water and causes diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting. Anyone can get it, but if you have HIV, you are at risk of serious complications from the infection.
Eating contaminated food or water can also cause a parasitic intestinal infection called cryptosporidiosis. It affects the bile ducts and intestines. It can be particularly severe and cause chronic diarrhea in people with AIDS. Cryptosporidiosis infection can occur in people with an effective immune system, but can become a chronic problem in people with CD4 counts below 200.
HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) is an inflammation of the kidney filters, making it difficult to remove waste products from the blood.
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Problems with the digestive tract can reduce your appetite and make it difficult to eat properly. Weight loss is a common side effect of HIV infection.
There are significant neurological complications of AIDS. Although HIV does not usually directly infect nerve cells, it does infect cells that support and surround nerves in the brain and throughout the body.
The full mechanisms of HIV-related neurological damage are not fully understood, but it is likely that infection of these supporting cells contributes to nerve damage. HIV infection can damage the nerves (neuropathy). Small holes in the sheaths of peripheral nerve fibers (vacuolar myelopathy) can cause pain, weakness, and difficulty walking.
Toxoplasmic encephalitis is another possible complication of advanced HIV infection. People with AIDS are at increased risk of inflammation of the brain and spinal cord from this parasite, which is commonly found in cat feces. Symptoms include confusion, headache, and seizures.
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Some common complications of AIDS include memory loss, anxiety, and depression. In very advanced cases, hallucinations and overt psychosis may occur. Some people have headaches, balance and vision problems.
One of the most obvious signs of HIV/AIDS can be seen on the skin. A weakened immune response makes you more vulnerable to viruses such as herpes. Herpes can cause sores around the mouth or genitals.
People with HIV have an increased risk of hives, which is caused by herpes zoster, the virus that causes chickenpox. Symptoms of shingles include a painful rash, often with blisters.
A viral skin infection called molluscum contagiosum involves the appearance of bumps on the skin. Another condition is called nodular pruritus. This causes crusting on the skin and also severe itching.
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Local independent journalism needs your support to survive and thrive. Help us achieve our mission of creating a more informed society by making a one-time or recurring donation today. HIV attacks and destroys the immune system’s CD4 cells (CD4 lymphocytes). CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell that play an important role in defending the body against infection. HIV uses the mechanisms of CD4 cells to reproduce and spread throughout the body. This process, which takes place in seven steps or stages, is called the HIV life cycle.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of a combination of antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV infection. People on ART take a combination of HIV drugs (called an HIV regimen) every day. HIV drugs protect the immune system by blocking HIV at different stages of the HIV life cycle. HIV drugs are divided into different drug classes based on how they fight HIV. Each class of drugs is designed for a specific stage of the HIV life cycle.
Because HIV treatment regimens include HIV drugs from at least two different classes of anti-HIV drugs, ART is highly effective in preventing HIV from multiplying. Reducing the amount of HIV in the body protects the immune system and prevents HIV from developing into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
ART cannot cure HIV, but HIV medicines can help people living with HIV live longer and healthier lives. HIV medications also reduce the risk of HIV transmission (spreading AIDS to others).
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The seven stages of the HIV life cycle are: 1) binding, 2) splicing, 3) reverse transcription, 4) integration, 5) replication, 6) assembly, and 7) initiation.
To understand each stage of the HIV life cycle, you must first imagine what HIV looks like.
Now follow each stage of the HIV life cycle as HIV attacks the CD4 cell and uses the cell’s machinery to reproduce. Medical Review by Daniel Murrell, MD – Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA – Updated April 24, 2020
HIV attacks a specific cell of the body’s immune system. It is known as CD4 helper cell or T cell. When HIV destroys this cell, it
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