AIDS and malnutrition: dual assaults on the body.

The immune system is impaired by either malnutrition or human immunodeficiency virus infection. When these occur together, their compounding effects promote altered metabolism, inadequate intake, and malabsorption, which further impair immune function and contribute to human immunodeficiency virus wasting. Careful dietary management can help meet nutritional needs without further compromising the immune status of the person living with acquired immune deficiency syndrome.