Gynecological conditions and HIV / AIDS

October 2005     View PDF     En español

Understanding your immune system

Your immune system is your body’s defense against infections and diseases. If a germ—like bacteria, fungus or virus—gets into your body, a variety of cells respond by fighting off and killing the organism, or at least keeping it in check so that it doesn’t cause disease. Understanding this response helps to better understand HIV, GYN conditions and other diseases.

The immune system plays an important role in controlling symptoms of infection. In fact, you can have an infection without having a disease. A good example of this is herpes. Many are infected with the virus, but only when it becomes active and sores appear does someone actually have the disease.

In this case, acyclovir helps the immune system keep the herpes virus as inactive as possible. However, drugs are not a substitute for the immune system. Generally, drugs work with the immune system to prevent or treat disease. When a person has a weakened immune system, a drug alone will not work as well in controlling the disease.

In some ways, HIV is similar to herpes in that you can be infected with HIV and not have symptoms. The difference, however, is that HIV is slowly attacking and destroying your immune system. It destroys important cells that help to control diseases. So even though you may feel good and have no symptoms of HIV disease, a doctor might recommend you start anti-HIV meds. They can help keep HIV from severely damaging your immune system and potentially from getting symptoms of HIV disease.

So what does this have to do with GYN health? Getting more GYN conditions could be a sign that your immune system is weakening and is beginning to lose its ability to keep viruses, fungi and bacteria under control in your vagina and genital tract. Repeated symptoms, like yeast infections or skin problems, tell you that your immune system is damaged and the infections only make the situation worse. Preserving your immune system before these conditions occur is critical.

Therefore, it’s also important to treat the real underlying problem—a weakened immune system. If HIV continues to damage the immune system, the GYN conditions and many other infections will become more of a problem.

Intervening when complications do occur by seeking treatment and care for all of HIV disease, including GYN conditions, is key to preserving, promoting and enhancing your immune health. Taking care of and treating your HIV disease can rebuild your immune system, making it better able to fight off infections in the long-term. It’s never too early to take charge of your health! Knowing and understanding what your body is telling you is the first step!