Immune System  Your immune system prevents

your body from acquiring the

diseases and infections that
come your way. White blood
cells defend you against viruses,
bacteria, and other organisms
that can make you sick.
When HIV enters the body, it
goes straight for the CD4+ T
cells that are a lynchpin for the
operation of the entire immune
system. As the virus infects and
kills more of these T cells, your
immune system grows weaker,
and you become more
susceptible to illness.
Respiratory and
Cardiovascular
 HIV increases the risk of
Systems colds, influenza, and
pneumonias. According to
the American Lung
Association, HIV/AIDS can
lead to opportunistic lung
diseases. Without preventive
treatment, people with
advanced HIV are susceptible
to tuberculosis, pneumonia,
and a disease called
pneumocystis carinii
pneumonia (PCP). PCP
causes trouble breathing,
cough, and fever.
  A common HIV-related
Digestive System infection is called candidiasis.
Symptoms include
inflammation of and a white
film on the tongue. It can also
cause inflammation of the
esophagus, which can make
it difficult to eat. Another
viral infection that affects the
mouth is oral hairy
leukoplakia, which causes
white lesions on the tongue.
  One of the more obvious signs
of HIV/AIDS can be seen on the
Skin skin. A weakened immune
response leaves you more
vulnerable to viruses like
herpes. Herpes can cause you to
develop sores around your
mouth or genitals.
 People with HIV are at
increased risk of shingles, which
is caused by herpes zoster, the
virus that gives you chickenpox.
Symptoms of shingles include a
painful rash, often with blisters.
 Although the South Africa government has educated
society against the stigma of HIV/AIDS, many still feel
shame and secrecy. This affects the care available to the
sufferer and their families making it difficult for many to
access drugs, income and support.
 HIV/AIDS is responsible for over half of those
children in South Africa who have lost both of
their parents. These children are left to be
looked after by the elderly grandparents (often
the Grandmothers) or older children causing
many emotional and financial impacts on
family life.
 If your parents have HIV/AIDS they are
more likely to be unemployed and
therefore have no regular source of
income. 80% of families lose half their
income when the major bread winner
dies of HIV/AIDS.
 Those families living with someone suffering from
HIV/AIDS are less likely to be able to attend
school or miss school as they are caring for their
sick parents. When parents die of HIV/AIDS, the
vulnerable children left behind often live in
temporary households as they are moved from
family to family therefore making it difficult to
maintain regular school attendance. Children
growing up in these temporary families or child-
headed households are more susceptible to poor
self-esteem, poor nutrition and poverty.