AIDS: Are Lymphocytes High or Low?
Mar 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Bai Hongmei
Introduction
In general, AIDS refers to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome typically have lower lymphocyte counts compared to normal individuals. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a systemic disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell, primarily derived from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow.
Generally, the number of lymphocytes in patients with AIDS is usually lower than that of healthy individuals. The detailed analysis is as follows:
AIDS is a systemic disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell primarily derived from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow and are important cellular components in immune responses. After infection with HIV, the virus infects lymphocytes and replicates within them, producing large quantities of viral particles daily, directly causing lysis, destruction, and apoptosis of lymphocytes, thereby continuously reducing the number of lymphocytes in the bloodstream. Additionally, HIV can infect the bone marrow, leading to infection of hematopoietic stem cells. The hematopoietic microenvironment is damaged by HIV, resulting in decreased production of lymphocytes.
If you suspect you have been infected with HIV, you should visit a hospital as soon as possible for viral antibody testing, viral load testing, and immune function assessment to confirm the diagnosis.
