Because people with AIDS have weakened immune systems, they're more prone to infections, called opportunistic infections. Opportunistic infections are caused by organisms that typically don't cause disease in healthy people but affect people with damaged immune systems. These organisms attack when there's an "opportunity" to infect.
Deterioration of the immune system is caused by the decline in CD4+ T cells, the immune system's key infection fighters. As soon as HIV enters the body, it begins to destroy these cells.
Many opportunistic infections associated with AIDS cause serious illness. Some may be prevented. Below is a list of infections and how they affect the body.
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