1. KEY CONCEPT When the immune system is weakened, the body cannot fight off disease.

2. Leukemia is characterized by abnormal white blood cells.
Leukemia is cancer of the bone marrow.
characterized by immature white blood cells
They are immature so they cannot fight pathogens
causes weakened immune system

3. Leukemia leads to opportunistic infections.
occur because white blood cells cannot fight infections
if immune system were healthy, would fight these infections

4. Only cure- is a bone marrow transplant
(Patient must undergo chemo and radiation = kill both cancer and healthy cells)

5. HIV targets the immune system.
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus (uses your body to duplicate its DNA)
attacks and weakens the immune system
is transmitted by mixing infected blood or other bodily fluids

6. HIV infection leads to AIDS.
T cell
dead T cell
antibody
activated B cell
HIV reproduces in and destroys T cells.
The body cannot replace T cells fast enough.
T cells cannot help in immune responses.

7. Ways to get HIV
Sexual intercourse (semen/vaginal fluid)
Mother to child (umbilical cord and/or breast milk)
Blood to blood contact (sharing needles/blood transfusion)

8. AIDS is acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
Final stage of immune system decline
Due to HIV
several opportunistic infections
Pneumonia
Viral infections
Cancers
tuberculosis
Immune system is worn out
very low amount of T cells
Medicine slows, but does not cure
ALWAYS results in death