2. The Lymphatic System A system of thin tubes that runs throughout the body Contains lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland and the tonsils Some of the functions of the system is to drain fluid back into the bloodstream from the tissues, filters the blood and lymph, plus it defends the body against diseases.
3. The Immune System It is the system that protects the body from infections and diseases It is made of cells (leukocytes – white blood cells), tissues and organs The system helps the body to fight against toxins, pollution, fungi and any type of bacteria.
11. Elephantiasis Also called lymphatic filariasis, is a disease characterized by thickening of the skin and underlying tissues in the legs, face or male genitals. It is usually caused by infestation of the lymph glands and vessels with parasitic worms, which are transmitted by particular kinds(species) of mosquitoes. Limbs can swell so enormously that they resemble an elephant's foreleg in size, texture, and color The disease is mostly found in Africa, South America and Asia It can be treated with medication if it’s early detected and sometimes surgery is provided.
17. Acquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAIDS AIDS is a disease of the human immune system caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which is a viral organism HIV damages the immune system by attacking lymphocytes and progressively destroys your body’s ability to fight infections and certain cancers HIV infects immune system cells called CD4 T-cells and slowly begins to reduce their number Although the person with HIV is experiencing no symptoms, the virus is still replicating inside the body and weakening the immune system HIV is spread through sexual contact, sharing needles, and by transmission from infected mothers to their newborns during pregnancy, labor or breastfeeding
18. Acquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAIDS Most common symptoms of HIV are fever, chills, sweats, swollen glands, weakness and weight loss There is no known cure fro HIV/AIDS but there are medications to help slow its progression and help prevent or cure some of the illnesses that come with AIDS: Kaposi’s sarcoma, Epstein-Barr virus, cervical cancers or pulmonary infections Treatment for HIV infection consists of highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART) which improves patient’s quality of life, reduces the rate of other complications, however it does not cure the patient of HIV Without treatment the median survival time after infection is estimated to be 9 to 11 years
