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Easy-to-read and illustrated information on HIV and the immune system.

The immune system is the body’s natural defence system. It’s a network of cells, tissues and organs inside the body.

The immune system recognises and fights off pathogens (germs). HIV weakens the immune system, which means that common pathogens can cause infections and illnesses.

HIV treatment strengthens the immune system.

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HIV and the immune system

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HIV and the immune system
Roger Pebody

Roger Pebody

Commissioning Editor

Roger joined aidsmap in 2008 and was Managing Editor from 2018 to 2024. As a freelancer, he now edits aidsmap’s news and conference coverage, as well as working on updates to About HIV pages. He is also a contributing science editor for TheBodyPro, a freelance journalist for The Lancet HIV, and a medical writer helping researchers prepare articles for peer-reviewed journals. He began working on HIV at Gay Men Fighting AIDS in the mid-1990s.

Basic information

How treatment works

How treatment works

Taking drugs on time

Taking drugs on time

Drug resistance

Drug resistance

Side effects

Side effects

HIV and the immune system

HIV and the immune system

Myths and facts

Myths and facts

My HIV is undetectable, can I stop my medication?

A white pill bottle is tipped over with white pills spilling out.

What is an elite controller?

A to Z of antiretroviral medications

Antiretroviral drug chart

Antiretroviral drug chart

Starting HIV treatment

Pill in hand

Recommended treatments for HIV

A man in a blue t-shirt gets HIV treatment out of a blister pack.

Anti-HIV drugs

Anti-HIV drugs booklet

Taking your HIV treatment

Taking your HIV treatment booklet

Blood tests before starting or changing HIV treatment

A close up of a person's arm while they are having their blood taken. The person taking the blood is wearing surgical gloves. We can see some of the blood is already in the tube.

Why taking your HIV treatment properly is important

Image: Domizia Salusest | www.domiziasalusest.com

Adherence to HIV treatment

Image: Domizia Salusest | www.domiziasalusest.com

Food requirements for anti-HIV medications

People sit outside at a table with a close up of a hand with pills in it.

HIV & women

Cover and inside spread of the HIV & women booklet.

Resistance to anti-HIV drugs

Image: Domizia Salusest | www.domiziasalusest.com

What happens to HIV drugs in the body, and do missed doses matter?

Mareike Günsche | www.aspect-us.com

Where to get HIV treatment

Image: PongMoji/Shutterstock.com

Which HIV medications are available as generics?

Mareike Günsche | www.aspect-us.com

Interactions between HIV medication and recreational drugs

Two syringes, powder and spoon on old wooden background.

Changing HIV treatment

A man in a bathroom holding two bottles of medication and reading the label of one of them.

Side-effects of HIV treatment

An older man sitting in a chair with a blanket over his knees. He's resting his head on his hand.

HIV lifecycle

RAJ CREATIONZS/Shutterstock.com

The stages of HIV infection

An illustration of an HIV virus.