B20-B24: Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease

B20: Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease resulting in infectious and parasitic diseases

The HIV disease is caused by the human immunodeficiency viruses. These viruses are transmitted by certain body fluids. These are mainly sperm and vaginal fluids as well as blood. Because of this, the viruses are transmitted during sex or through blood, for example.

You may then have various problems with this disease. For example, the human immunodeficiency viruses damage certain immune cells of the body. For this reason, you can get infected with other disease pathogens more quickly. In addition, the body’s immune system may not recognize altered cells, either. Due to this, you may get certain cancer diseases more quickly. The human immunodeficiency viruses can also damage certain cells in the brain. Sometimes there are also no symptoms with the HIV disease over a longer period of time. If you become seriously ill and have certain problems due to the human immunodeficiency viruses the disease is then called AIDS.

People with HIV may more rapidly be infected by certain pathogens which are actually harmless. For example, they may cause inflammation of the gullet, lungs or brain.