The Effects of HIV on the Body
How does HIV infect the body?
Most people are likely not familiar with the effects of HIV on the body. It is completely a myth that HIV only affects the immune system. It definitely has an adverse influence on other systems of the body including the respiratory & cardiovascular systems, digestive system, central nervous system. Surprisingly, your skin can also show the hitches of the virus. Thus, this article deals with all such effects of HIV on the body.
Immune System
The major responsibility of the immune system is to fight against infection. It prevents the body from acquiring diseases. The entire operation of the immune system is governed by the CD4+ T cells. When HIV enters the body, it infects and kills the majority of these cells. Due to this, the immunity grows weaker and you become more prone to infections caused by viruses, bacteria, and other organisms.
To not let HIV perform its function, medications like Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate can be used with other antiretroviral agents. Therapy with such medicines can decrease the viral load in the body and manage the effects of HIV.
Respiratory & Cardiovascular System
Common cold and flu are a part of our normal lifestyle. However, these are those infections that you might catch very often if you have a vulnerable immune system. In fact, an HIV-positive individual can develop the signs of pneumonia too.
If no treatment is initiated, your body becomes easy prey to infectious complications including pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and tuberculosis that can further cause severe difficulty in breathing, cough, and fever.
Digestive System
Since the virus badly influences the infection-fighting system of the body, it ultimately affects the digestive system too. This means that you may develop problems associated with the digestive tract leading to a decrease in appetite and unexplained weight loss.
Salmonella infection, oral hairy leukoplakia, oral thrush, and cryptosporidiosis are some majorly diagnosed diseases in HIV-positive patients. Also, chronic diarrhea can be a concern in patients with AIDS. The two E’s namely Emtricitabine and Efavirenz are widely prescribed in combination with other regimens as a perfect therapy against HIV infection.
Central Nervous System
HIV is not known to infect the nerve cells. However, it does have an effect on the cells that surround the brain and the body. Some common complications of HIV and AIDS that are associated with the Central Nervous System of your body are:
· Memory impairment
· Depression
· Anxiety
Skin
The most common signs of HIV/AIDS are often visible on the skin. This is because a weak immune system leaves you vulnerable to viruses like Herpes. This is quite significantly seen as sores around your mouth and genitals, painful rash, or blisters on your arms.
Besides this, your body may also become susceptible to a viral infection called molluscum contagiosum among others. This involves a severe outbreak of bumps on your skin. Another condition that leads to the rise of similar symptoms is known as prurigo nodularis. Therefore, your skin may tell you more about your HIV infection than any other factor.
