for Veterans and the Public

By weakening your immune system, HIV can leave you vulnerable to certain cancers and infections. These infections are called "opportunistic" because they take the opportunity to attack you when your immune system is weak.

In addition, HIV is recognized to be an inflammatory disease that affects many parts of the body, not just the immune system. That means that HIV can affect organs like the brain, kidneys, liver and heart and may increase the risk of some cancers.

Certain changes can happen to HIV-positive people who are living longer and taking HIV medicines. Some people have experienced visible changes in body shape and appearance. Sometimes these changes can raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes. For more information on body shape changes and opportunistic infections, see HIV-related conditions.

Know when to call a medical provider

You don't need to panic every time you have a headache or get a runny nose. But if a symptom is concerning you or is not going away, it is always best to have a provider check it out even if it doesn't feel like a big deal. The earlier you see a provider when you have unusual symptoms, the better off you are likely to be.