12.2  HIV and nutrition

HIV infection progressively destroys the immune system, leading to recurrent opportunist infections (OIs), debilitation and death. OIs are infections that take advantage of a weak immune system. Poor nutritional status is one of the major complications of HIV and a significant factor that might lead people to develop full-blown AIDS. In places where there are inadequate food supplies (resource-limited settings), many people who become infected with HIV may already be undernourished. Their weakened immune systems further increase their vulnerability to infection.