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  1. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiv

    HIV/AIDS - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

    • Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is an ongoing, also called chronic, condition. It's caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, also called HIV. HIV damages the immune system so that the body is … See more

    Causes

    HIVis caused by a virus. It can spread through sexual contact, shooting of illicit drugs or use of … See more

    Mayo Clinic
    Risk Factors

    Anyone of any age, race, sex or sexual orientation can have HIV/AIDS. However, you're at greatest risk of HIV/AIDSif you: 1. Have unprotected sex. Use a new latex or polyuretha… See more

    Mayo Clinic
    Prevention

    There's no vaccine to prevent HIV infection and no cure for HIV/AIDS. But you can protect yourself and others from infection. To help prevent the spread of HIV: 1. Consider pr… See more

    Mayo Clinic
    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection
    Learn about the epidemiology, transmission, pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection, which destroys CD4+ lymphocytes and impai…
    The Merck Manuals · https://www.merckmanu…
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    Table of Contents
    Causes
    Risk Factors
    Prevention
     
  1. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)1234:
    • Attacks and destroys CD4 cells (CD4 T lymphocytes) of the immune system.
    • Makes it difficult for the body to fight off infections, illnesses, and certain cancers.
    • Gradually destroys the immune system, leading to health decline and the onset of AIDS.
    • Spread through blood and bodily fluids, typically through sexual contact.
    • Weakens the immune system, leaving people with HIV vulnerable to other pathogens and complications.
    Learn more:
    HIV attacks and destroys the infection-fighting CD4 cells (CD4 T lymphocyte) of the immune system. The loss of CD4 cells makes it difficult for the body to fight off infections, illnesses, and certain cancers. Without treatment, HIV can gradually destroy the immune system, causing health decline and the onset of AIDS.

    HIV and AIDS: The Basics | NIH - HIVinfo

    hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-a…
    HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV attacks the immune system by entering and destroying CD4+ T cells, a type of white blood cell that is vital to fighting off infection. The destruction of these cells leaves people with HIV vulnerable to other pathogens and complications.

    HIV - National Institute of Allergy and Inf…

    www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/hiv-sti
    HIV is a virus that’s most often spread through blood and bodily fluids, typically but not exclusively through sexual contact. It attacks and kills a certain type of white blood cell in the body, which weakens the immune system and makes it hard for people to fight off illnesses and infections.

    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) > …

    www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/human-immunod…
    HIV is a viral infection. It targets and gradually weakens the body’s immune system by damaging cells called CD4 T cells. This damage means that, over time, the body becomes less able to fight off other infections. If the immune system becomes impaired enough, infections that are typically mild can be life threatening.

    Effects of HIV: What happens to the body…

    www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316373
  2. People also ask
    What is HIV & how does it affect your health?
    What is HIV? HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV infects and destroys cells of your immune system, making it hard to fight off other diseases. When HIV has severely weakened your immune system, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

    HIV & AIDS: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention - Cleveland Cli…

    my.clevelandclinic.org
    What is the link between Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome?

    Dr. ANUVITHA KAMATH

    MBBS · 3 years of exp

    HIV means Human immunodeficiency virus. It spreads from one person to the other person through vaginal, or anal sexual intercourse, blood transfusion from an infected person, needle prick injuries, and drugs administered through syringes. If left untreated, HIV can lead to a fatal disease known as AIDS(Acquired immunodeficiency virus). AIDS is the advanced stage after being exposed to HIV for several years without undergoing treatment. People affected with HIV can develop flu-like symptoms initially and can be asymptomatic for around 10 years. Later they will develop symptoms of AIDS-like fatigue, significant loss of weight, frequent history of fever and cough, frequent opportunistic infections, lymph node swelling, oral sores, malaise, night sweats, skin rash, oral thrush, meningitis, muscle aches, and pneumonia. AIDS/HIV cannot be reversed. However, the viral load can be significantly reduced to a very low level if antiretroviral therapy is started at an early stage. Antiretroviral therapy helps people with HIV to live healthy longer lives. It prevents the progression of the disease and reduces mortality.
    Q&A: Immunodeficiency
    bing.com
    Can HIV cause AIDS?
    When your T-cells get very low or you begin to get certain illnesses that people with healthy immune systems don’t get, HIV has progressed to AIDS. AIDS can cause rapid weight loss, extreme tiredness, mouth or genital ulcers, fevers, night sweats and skin discolorations.

    HIV & AIDS: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention - Cleveland Cli…

    my.clevelandclinic.org
    How does HIV affect the flu symptoms?
    The flu symptoms are due to the increase of copies of HIV and widespread infection in the body. During this time, the amount of CD4 cells starts to fall very quickly. The immune system then kicks in, causing CD4 levels to rise once again. However, the CD4 levels may not return to their pre-HIV height.

    How Does HIV Affect the Body? - Healthline

    healthline.com
    How does HIV affect quality of life?
    Many factors common among those with HIV infection that could affect quality of life (Fig. 7) include: polypharmacy, treatment toxicity, poor mental health related to the burden of a lifelong chronic condition, substance abuse, social isolation and stigma.

    HIV infection - Nature Reviews Disease Primers

    nature.com
    How does HIV evolve during the pathophysiology of HIV infection?
    During the course of HIV infection, the transmitted viruses evolve, presumably in response to changes in target cell population and immune response to the virus. In some but not all individuals, the virus population evolves from CCR5-tropic to CXCR4-tropic 42; the mechanism for this shift remains poorly understood.

    HIV infection - Nature Reviews Disease Primers

    nature.com
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  3. The Merck Manuals
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/profes…

    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection

    May 7, 2024 · Learn about the epidemiology, transmission, pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HIV infection, which destroys CD4+ lymphocytes and impairs cell-mediated immunity. Find out the risk …

  4. Healthline
    https://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-…

    The Effects of HIV on the Body: Immune System and …

    Jun 30, 2023 · HIV attacks the immune system by destroying CD4 cells, which are responsible for fighting off diseases and infections. Learn how HIV affects different parts of the body, such as the...

  5. Yale Medicine
    https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions…

    Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) > Fact Sheets

    Sep 24, 2022 · HIV is a retrovirus that infects and kills CD4 T cells, which are important for the immune system. Learn how HIV is transmitted, diagnosed, treated, and prevented from Yale Medicine experts.

  6. HIVinfo
    https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact...

    HIV and AIDS: The Basics | NIH - HIVinfo

  8. Healthline
    https://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-…

    How Does HIV Affect the Body? - Healthline

    Apr 24, 2020 · HIV attacks and destroys CD4 cells, which are a type of immune system cell that helps fight infections. Learn about the stages of HIV, how it is transmitted, and how it can be treated and...

  9. Cleveland Clinic
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/...

    HIV & AIDS: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

  10. nih.gov
    https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-con…

    HIV/AIDS - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious …

    HIV attacks the immune system by destroying CD4+ T cells, a type of white blood cell that is vital to fighting off infection. The destruction of these cells can leave people with untreated HIV vulnerable to life-threatening infections and …

  11. Nature
    https://www.nature.com/articles/nrdp201535

    HIV infection - Nature Reviews Disease Primers

    Oct 1, 2015 · HIV infection has a profound and complex effect on the immune system. HIV preferentially infects activated CD4 + T cells and causes death of these cells through direct (cytopathic) or indirect...

  12. WHO
    https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids

    HIV and AIDS - World Health Organization (WHO)