Skip to main content
Logo for WebMD
  • Home
  • Conditions

    Conditions

    View All
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Arthritis
    • Atrial fibrillation
    • Breast Cancer
    • Cancer
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • DVT
    • Eczema
    • Eye Health
    • Heart Disease
    • HIV & AIDS
    • Lung Disease
    • Lupus
    • Mental Health
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Migraine
    • Pain Management
    • Psoriasis
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Sexual Conditions
    • Skin Problems
    • Sleep Disorders
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • View All
  • Drugs & Supplements

    Drugs & Supplements

    • Drugs
    • Supplements
    • Pill Identifier
    • Interaction Checker
  • Well-Being

    Well-Being

    View All
    • Aging Well
    • Baby
    • Birth Control
    • Children's Health
    • Diet & Weight Management
    • Fitness & Exercise
    • Food & Recipes
    • Healthy Beauty
    • Men's Health
    • Parenting
    • Pet Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Teen Health
    • Women's Health
    • View All
  • Symptom Checker
  • Find a Doctor
  • More

    More

    • News
    • Blogs
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • Newsletters
    • WebMD Magazine
    • Support Groups
    • Surgeries and Procedures
    • Orthopedics
  • Privacy & More
Log In
    • HIV & AIDS
    • Guide
    • Overview
      • What Is HIV?
      • HIV History & Basic Facts
    • Symptoms
    • Causes & Risks
      • Risk Factors & Spread
      • Among Specific Individuals & Communities
      • Pregnancy, Children & HIV
    • Screening & Testing
    • Diagnosis
    • Treatment
      • How to Treat HIV
      • Drug Treatments
    • How HIV Affects the Body
      • Effects of HIV on the Body
      • Heart Problems
      • Lung Problems
      • Pain & Nerve Problems
      • Section 5
    • Opportunistic Infections
    • Complications
      • Dangerous Complications of HIV and AIDS
      • HIV With Other Conditions
    • Living With
    • Dating & Relationships
    • Support & Resources
    • Prevention
      • How Can You Prevent an HIV Infection?
      • PrEP and PEP
      • Vaccines Potential
    • View Full Guide

    How HIV Affects the Body

    1. Effects of HIV on the Body

      1. Effects of HIV on the Body

        As HIV weakens your natural defenses, you might notice signs all over your body.

    2. Heart Problems

      1. HIV and Heart Disease: What's the Link?

        You’re more likely to have heart disease if you have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.

      2. HIV and High Cholesterol

         If you have HIV, your risk of high cholesterol goes up. We need more research to understand the link between the two.

      3. HIV and High Blood Pressure

        Without HIV, there’s about a 30% risk you’ll get hypertension sometime in life. If you’re HIV-positive, that goes up to 35%.

      4. HIV and Diabetes

        One study showed that diabetes was up to four times more common in people with HIV.

    3. Lung Problems

      1. HIV/AIDS and the Common Cold

        When you have AIDS, your body may find it hard to fight off colds. Make sure you do what you can to avoid catching one.

      2. Is Coronavirus Riskier if You Have HIV?

        If you have HIV, you may be concerned that condition raises your risk for a bad case of COVID-19.

    4. Pain & Nerve Problems

      1. How HIV Affects Your Bones

        HIV may make your bones more likely to break. And some anti-HIV medications may raise your chances for bone loss.

      1. HIV and Your Eyes

        HIV affects many parts of your body, and your eyes are no exception.

      2. HIV and Retinopathy

        You might have heard that an HIV infection can affect your eyes. One way it does is a condition called retinopathy.

      3. CMV (Cytomegalovirus) Retinitis

        Cytomegalovirus retinitis is an eye infection. You're more likely to get it if you have a weak immune system from HIV or AIDS.

    Top Picks

    Today on WebMD

    Get the Facts About HIV

    How much do you know?

    Just Diagnosed?

    What to do now.

    HIV Screening

    Should you be tested?

    CD4+ Count

    What does it mean?

    Recommended for You

    Another STD to Know: Hepatitis

    Do You Know the Right Way to Use Condoms?

    What to Do About Discrimination Because of HIV

    Top doctors in ,

    Find more top doctors on

      Health Solutions from Our Sponsors

      • Penis Curved When Erect?
      • Could I have CAD?
      • Treat Bent Fingers
      • Treat HR+, HER2- MBC
      • Tired of Dandruff?
      • Benefits of CBD
      • Rethink MS Treatment
      • AFib-Related Strokes
      • Risk of a Future DVT/PE
      • Is My Penis Normal?
      • Relapsing MS Options
      • Liver Transplants Save Lives
      • Finance Plastic Surgery
      • Bent Finger Causes
      • Living With Psoriasis?
      • Missing Teeth?

      More from WebMD

      • 5 Tips to Help With Relapsing MS
      • How to Thrive With Narcolepsy
      • Relief for Blocked Hair Follicles
      • Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Sleep
      • What Psoriasis Feels Like
      • First Psoriatic Arthritis Flare
      • Talking to Your Doctor About RA
      • Crohn's: A 'Full-Body' Disease
      • Avoiding Crohn’s Flares
      • Health Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil
      • Live Better With Psoriatic Disease
      • Types of B-Cell Therapy for MS
      • 5 Health Benefits of Hemp
      • Why Prostate Cancer Spreads
      • Living with Advanced Breast Cancer
      • Where Breast Cancer Spreads

      Related Links

      • HIV & AIDS Health Resources News
      • HIV & AIDS Health Resources Reference
      • HIV & AIDS Health Resources Slideshows
      • HIV & AIDS Health Blogs
      • HIV & AIDS Health Resources Medications
      • Find a Doctor
      • Crisis Assistance
      • Hepatitis
      • HIV Myths and Facts
      • Molluscum Contagiosum
      • Neuropathy
      • Opportunistic Infections
      • Other STDs
      • Sexual Conditions
      • More Related Topics
      • Policies

        • Privacy Policy
        • Cookie Policy
        • Editorial Policy
        • Advertising Policy
        • Correction Policy
        • Terms of Use
      • About

        • Contact Us
        • About WebMD
        • Careers
        • Newsletter
        • Corporate
        • WebMD Health Services
        • Site Map
        • Accessibility
      • Our Apps

        • WebMD Mobile
        • WebMD App
        • Pregnancy
        • Baby
        • Allergy
      • For Advertisers

        • Advertise with Us
        • Advertising Policy
      • TRUSTe
      • TAG Registered Seal
      • Adchoices

      © 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.

      Logo for WebMD