How does HIV AIDS affect a human body?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) targets the immune system and weakens the body's defenses against infections and certain types of cancer. It leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the advanced stage of HIV infection. Here's how HIV affects the human body:
1. Acute Infection (Seroconversion Illness):
- Within 2 to 6 weeks after initial infection, some people experience a brief illness known as seroconversion illness or acute HIV infection. Symptoms may include fever, rash, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. This phase usually lasts a few weeks and can be mistaken for other illnesses.
2. Chronic (Clinical Latency) Phase:
- After the initial infection, the virus enters a chronic phase that can last for several years. During this period, people may not experience any noticeable symptoms or illnesses, but the virus continues to multiply and damage the immune system.
3. AIDS (Advanced Stage):
- As HIV infection progresses and weakens the immune system, it reaches the advanced stage known as AIDS. This occurs when the CD4+ T cell count (a type of white blood cell crucial for immune defense) drops below a certain level. Individuals with AIDS are highly susceptible to opportunistic infections and certain cancers.
Effects of HIV on the Body:
- Immune System: HIV primarily attacks and destroys CD4+ T cells, which play a vital role in fighting off infections. This weakens the body's ability to combat infections and diseases, making people with HIV more vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers.
- Opportunistic Infections: Due to the weakened immune system, people with HIV are at an increased risk of developing a wide range of opportunistic infections. These infections can include pneumonia, tuberculosis, fungal infections like candidiasis and cryptococcal meningitis, parasitic infections like toxoplasmosis and cryptosporidiosis, and many more.
- Cancers: Individuals with HIV are also more likely to develop certain types of cancer, such as Kaposi's Sarcoma (a skin cancer), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (a cancer of the lymphatic system), and cervical cancer. These cancers occur more frequently and aggressively in people with HIV.
- Neurological Complications: HIV can affect the nervous system, leading to a variety of neurological complications known as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). These may include memory problems, difficulty with concentration and decision-making, motor coordination issues, and behavioral changes.
- Wasting Syndrome: In advanced stages of HIV, individuals may experience wasting syndrome, characterized by significant weight loss, muscle depletion, and weakness. This is often associated with chronic diarrhea, malnutrition, and opportunistic infections.
- Other Symptoms: HIV infection can also cause persistent symptoms such as fatigue, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, oral thrush (a fungal infection in the mouth), headaches, and skin rashes.
It's important to note that with proper medical care, including antiretroviral therapy (ART), people with HIV can manage their condition and live longer, healthier lives. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to slowing the progression of the disease and preventing complications.