Question

How does HIV affect the lymphatic system?

Answer 1

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus invades and destroys one of the types of T lymphocytes - the CD4 helper cell - which is the first line of defence against any infection.

Explanation:

The lymphatic system is a well coordinated and delicately balanced system that protects the human body by the immune response. It works in a series of reactions, the first of which is the recognition of a body as foreign by the T lymphocytes.

Since HIV infects and destroys one of the types of T lymphocytes - the CD4 helper cell - it cripples the rest of the immunological response which depends on the first step for activation.