Immune dysfunction

Answer

Immune Dysfunction

                An immune disorder provides an insight into the immune system’s dysfunction. Immune dysfunction can be defined in different ways based on the affected system. An immune dysfunction is defined based on whether the system is underactive or overactive (He, Tran & Sanchez, 2019). This paper explores the characteristic findings of the immune dysfunction of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and explains symptomology the patient would exhibit and how these symptoms may complicate daily living and relationships.

AIDS Immune Dysfunction

                AIDS is the final phase of the HIV disease and is also the most serious state which results in severe immune system damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control, AIDS starts when an individual infected with HIV has a CD4 cell count of less than 200 (He, Tran & Sanchez, 2019). The condition is also defined by numerous cancers and opportunistic infections which take place in the presence of HIV. The infection is featured by the deterioration in the function of the immune system which further results to the development of malignancies and opportunistic infections. AIDS also features an immune dysfunction reflected by an insistent inflammatory state as well as an unhealthy elaboration of the pro- as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines (Akase, Musa, Obiako, Ahmad Elfulatiy & Mohammed, 2017). The CD4⁺ T cells count has been utilized as the surrogate for the level of the immune dysfunction common among patients diagnosed with HIV infection. Notably, AIDS is experienced at the point whereby a person’s CD4⁺ T cells count drops below the value of 200. The CD4 cells are effective players in the regulation of the immune responses to any microorganisms which invades the human system. Destruction to the CD4 cells leaves the patient vulnerable to opportunistic infections which are rarely seen in healthy people. Most patients who succumb to AIDS are normally diagnosed with one or more of the opportunistic infections (Yang, Peng-Lei, Yang,  Gao, Shi, Wan-Ting & Yi-Biao, 2018).

Symptomology

                AIDS is associated with several symptoms. Some of them include rapid loss in weight, profuse and recurring night sweats, unexplained tiredness, constant diarrhea lasting more than a week, pneumonia, depression, memory loss, and sores in the genitals, anus and mouth (Yang et al., 2018). The symptoms related with AIDS can be associated with other conditions. Therefore, the only way to establish if one is HIV positive is to become tested. A healthcare provider will provide a diagnosis to establish if the disease has progressed as well as the stage in which the virus exists through the implementation of medical criteria (Yang et al., 2018). In addition, most of the severe symptoms associated with the condition arise from the opportunistic infections which are experienced as a result of the damage to the patient’s immune system.

Impact on Daily Living and Relationships

                The symptoms experienced by a person suffering from AIDS can negatively influence a person’s daily and living relationships. For instance, the patient’s daily living is negatively affected as the condition affects one emotionally and physically. Notably, one becomes depressed as a result of the recorded symptoms. Memory loss makes it difficult for one to go about their daily activities without seeking the help of a caretaker. Other symptoms such as loss in weight or development of sores in the genitals and mouth affects the patient’s sexual relationship as most partners will opt to stay away from the infected persons after developing fear of becoming infected (Yang et al., 2018).

Conclusion

                Conclusively, AIDS’ immune dysfunction suggests that the condition is developed after a person’s CD4⁺ T cells count drops below 200. Some of the common symptoms represented by a person with the disease include diarrhea, loss in weight and the development of sores in the genitalia and mouth.