How does HIV affect the lymphatic system?

The immune system uses the lymphatic system, a finely tuned and well-coordinated system, to protect the human body through a series of reactions, the first of which is the T lymphocytes' recognition of a foreign body.

HIV cripples the remainder of the immune response, which depends on the initial stage for activation, by infecting and killing CD4 helper cells, one type of T lymphocyte.

HIV affects the lymphatic system by primarily targeting CD4+ T lymphocytes, which are crucial for the proper functioning of the immune system. HIV infects these cells, leading to their depletion and dysfunction, weakening the immune response. This results in the lymph nodes becoming enlarged and dysfunctional, as they are key sites for immune cell activation and proliferation. Additionally, HIV can spread through lymphatic vessels, further compromising the lymphatic system's ability to fight infections.