HIV Hurts the Immune System

HIV Hurts the Immune System

People who are HIV positive have been tested and found to have signs of the human immunodeficiency virus in their blood. HIV destroys part of the immune (say: ih-myoon) system. Specifically, it affects a type of white blood cell called the T lymphocyte (say: lim-fuh-site), or T cell. T cells are one type of "fighter" cell in the blood that help the body fight off all kinds of germs and diseases.

After HIV enters the body, it piggybacks onto a T cell and works its way inside of that cell. Once inside, the virus completely takes over the T cell and uses it as a virus-making factory to make a lot of copies of itself. The newly made viruses then leave the T cell and go on to infect and destroy other healthy T cells as they continue to multiply inside the body. After the virus invades the T cells, they can no longer properly fight infections.

Someone who is infected with the virus is called HIV positive. But it may take years for the virus to damage enough T cells for that person to get sick and develop AIDS. And thanks to new medications, someone infected with HIV can stay relatively healthy and symptom-free for many years. But these medications are very expensive and not available to everyone in the world.

Although the HIV-positive person may feel fine, the virus is silently reproducing itself and destroying T cells. And during this time, the person is still contagious (say: kon-tay-jus), which means he or she is able to give the disease to others.

When the person's immune system has weakened and more of the blood's T cells have been destroyed by the virus, the person can no longer fight off infections. This is when he or she gets very sick. A doctor diagnoses a person with AIDS when the person has a very low number of T cells and shows signs of a serious infection.
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Welcome to INP+

Welcome to INP+



INP+ is an ISO 9001:2008 certified CBO - a national network for people living with HIV/AIDS. INP+ is a social movement by and for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in enforcing the recognition for Human Rights of PLHIV in India. INP+ has waged a long and intensive struggle against fear, ignorance, prejudice and despair born out of the epidemic and stood to represent courage, insight, acceptance and hope to hundreds and thousands of People Living with HIV/AIDS.

We support PLHIV to form self help groups from the bottom up and foster bonding with intra- and intercommunity groups to gain strength and support.

Our members include besides PLHIV, people from diverse orientation and marginalized sections of the society – MSM (Men having Sex with Men), IDU (Injecting Drug Users), Sex workers etc. The membership is open to all Indians living with HIV irrespective of gender, caste, religion etc.

Browse through our site to learn more about INP+ and how you can contribute!