HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) gradually destroys cells of the immune system and may eventually lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a life-threatening condition. HIV is passed on by contact with infected body fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
It can also be passed from an infected woman to her fetus or to the baby at birth. Initially, there may be a short flulike illness, mouth ulcers, or rash, or no symptoms at all. The virus then multiplies over several years, damaging the immune system. The damage can be assessed by counting the number of immune system cells called CD4 lymphocytes. As the infection progresses, fever, night sweats, diarrhea, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, and recurrent infections may occur.
In the late stage, known as AIDS, the CD4 count drops very low and various diseases develop, including infections that are not normally serious in otherwise healthy people (such as candidiasis, Pneumocystis pneumonia, and cytomegalovirus infection) but may be so in a person with AIDS.
There is no vaccine or cure for HIV infection, but antiretroviral drugs can slow the damage to the immune system

Othere related diseases

HYPERCALCEMIA
An abnormally high level of calcium in the blood is called hypercalcemia. It is commonly caused by overactivity of the parathyroid glands (small glands in the n...

LEUKEMIA
Leukemia is a group of cancers in which there is uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow and reduced production of normal bl...

LUPUS
Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) Lupus is a type of autoimmune disease (in which the immune system attacks the body’s own ...

LYMPHADENOPATHY
Swollen lymph nodes Lymphadenopathy is an enlargement of the lymph nodes (sometimes called glands), usually due to an infection or to the proliferation of white...

LYMPHANGITIS
This is an inflammation of lymphatic vessels due to the spread of bacteria from the site of an infection, usually an infected wound. The condition typically aff...

LYMPHEDEMA
In lymphedema, fluid accumulates in the lymphatic vessels, resulting in the painless swelling of a limb. There are various possible causes, including obstructio...

LYMPHOMA
Lymphomas are cancers that develop when lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) multiply and form tumors in the lymphatic system. They may also spread to other...

MESENTERIC ADENITIS
In mesenteric adenitis, the lymph nodes in the mesentery (the membrane that anchors organs to the abdominal wall) become inflamed. The condition most commonly a...