A 33-year-old member asked:
How does the human immunodeficiency virus cause aids?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Al Hegabanswered
Allergy and Immunology 42 years experience
Attacks T cells: T lymphocytes, part of the white blood cells, are the main cells in the specialized immune system, Especially the T helper cells, so when attacked the HIV virus, the whole immune system becomes deranged, hence the development of AIDS,
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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A 43-year-old member asked:
What symptoms are caused by the human immunodeficiency virus?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Martin Raffanswered
Infectious Disease 58 years experience
Many and few.: At the outset the patient infected may not even be aware of the presence of the virus, and this can persist until the immune system is badly damaged, and secondary infections or cancers occur (8-12 yrs). Sometimes, acute HIV syndrome will present as a mononucleosis-type illness with multiple symptoms. Best thing to do is get checked and tested if you feel you have been exposed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Human immunodeficiency virus--does it lead to any diseases besides aids?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joel Gallantanswered
Infectious Disease 38 years experience
Yes: In addition to causing aids, we now know that HIV also increases chronic inflammation and immune activation, which can increase the risk of complications like coronary heart disease, malignancies, decreased bone density, and cognitive dyfunction. There is a lot of interest now in HIV as a cause of earlier complications of the aging process.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
What causes the human immunodeficiency virus?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joel Gallantanswered
Infectious Disease 38 years experience
HIV: The obvious answer is that HIV causes it. But perhaps you meant "how do you get it?" you get HIV by having unsafe sex or by sharing needles/syringes by someone else who has it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. J. Yusuf Erskine commented
Holistic Medicine 34 years experience
nice to see you on health tap Joel! Speaking at international AIDS conference in DC?
Jul 26, 2012
A 41-year-old member asked:
Human immunodeficiency virus--can it mutate?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joel Gallantanswered
Infectious Disease 38 years experience
Yes: Hiv mutates in response to HIV therapy. If you're being treated without a complete response (partial suppression), the virus can mutate so it can replicate in the presence of the drugs. This usually happens in people who don't take their medications properly. They can then transmit the mutant virus to others. Spontaneous mutation (mutation independent of therapy) has not been a big problem.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed Dec 31, 2022
Last updated Oct 25, 2019
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