What does aids do to a immune system?
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV primarily infects and destroys T helper cells (also known as CD4 cells), which are white blood cells that play a crucial role in the body's immune system. Here's how HIV affects the immune system:
1. Depletion of CD4 Cells:
- HIV specifically targets and infects CD4 cells. As the virus replicates, it destroys these vital immune cells, leading to a decline in their numbers.
2. Weakened Immune Response:
- The depletion of CD4 cells weakens the body's ability to recognize and fight off infections and diseases. People with AIDS have a severely compromised immune system and become susceptible to a wide range of opportunistic infections, cancers, and other health conditions.
3. Opportunistic Infections:
- Opportunistic infections are those that take advantage of a weakened immune system to cause disease. Common infections in people with AIDS include Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), toxoplasmosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis, and Kaposi's sarcoma.
4. Cancers:
- AIDS also increases the risk of certain cancers, particularly Kaposi's sarcoma (a rare form of skin cancer) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. These cancers develop due to the inability of the immune system to control their growth.
5. HIV Enhances Replication in Immune Cells:
- Once inside CD4 cells, HIV multiplies rapidly, producing more copies of the virus. This process damages and eventually destroys the CD4 cells, further impairing immune function.
6. Impaired Antibody Production:
- The depletion of CD4 cells disrupts the production of antibodies, which are proteins that help identify and neutralize foreign invaders. This further compromises the body's ability to fight infections.
7. Loss of Immune Memory:
- The damage to CD4 cells affects the immune system's ability to "remember" past infections. This means that individuals with AIDS may experience recurrent infections caused by the same pathogens repeatedly.
In summary, AIDS severely weakens the immune system by destroying CD4 cells and disrupting various immune functions. This impaired immunity leaves individuals susceptible to life-threatening infections and certain cancers, ultimately leading to the development of full-blown AIDS and potentially fatal complications.