Swollen throat glands represent enlargement of the lymph nodes in the neck. Lymph nodes are bean-like collections of lymphocytes -- white blood cells with a prominent role in the immune system. Infections and inflammation commonly cause swollen lymph nodes in the throat.

Lupus is a disease that develops when the body accidentally attacks its own tissues and stops protecting it from outside invaders. Tissue damage occurs in the joints, nervous system and other various parts of the body when auto antibodies attack and cause inflammation.

Excessive alcohol can damage the immune system because the alcohol will prevent nutrients from feeding your immune system. The alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream through your stomach. Once in the bloodstream, alcohol will reduce the white blood cell count in the body.

HIV-related neuropathy is a chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy, causing damage to nerves in the brain or spinal column or to nerves elsewhere in the body. The term polyneuropathy means that several nerves are involved.

A vast number of skin conditions are possible in someone with HIV/AIDS. From a painless red rash after initial HIV infection to dark purple blotches that signify life-threatening cancer related to AIDS, many different HIV-associated skin conditions are possible.

Immunosuppressive drugs can cause depression of the body's natural defense system, resulting in increased risks of infections and illnesses. Common immunosuppressive medications include corticosteroids and prednisone.

Poor nutrition and weight loss increase the risk of illness and even death in HIV-infected people, according to an April 2003 article in "Clinical Infectious Diseases." Nutritional status may be compromised by complications of the disease, as well as the medications used to treat it.

Tics, such as clearing the throat, primarily affect children, but can continue into adulthood. According to Medline Plus, tics appear three to four times more in boys than girls and may affect 1/4 of all children at some point in time.

Millions of people suffer from allergies. The triggers for an allergy attack are as various as the symptoms. A tingling sensation in the face might be the result of an allergic reaction. On the other hand, facial tingling might indicate a more serious medication condition. Your doctor can make the proper determination.

White blood cells are infection-fighting cells produced in the bone marrow. When a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil is lowered in the body -- a condition called neutropenia -- the immune system is weakened and a person becomes vulnerable to infections.

Without HIV treatment, full-blown AIDS usually takes about a decade to develop. During this last phase of the disease, the virus severely damages the immune system to a point where the body can no longer fight a number of viral, fungal, bacterial and parasitic infections that invade.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a chronic incurable disease spread through exposure to infected blood and/or body fluids through sexual contact, intravenous needle sharing, or during childbirth from mother to child. Symptoms may begin as early as two to three weeks following infection and resemble flu symptoms.