HIV damages a persons body by destroying specific blood cells, T-cell or CD4s, which are crucial to helping the body fight diseases. What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Acquired means it is not present at birth. Immune Deficiency means a weakness in the body’s system that fights diseases. Syndrome means a group of health problems that make up a disease. A person cannot “get” AIDS. A person becomes infected with HIV, and later may develop AIDS. An HIV-positive person is diagnosed with AIDS when that person has developed certain infections or other medical conditions, such as a T-cell or CD4 (the most basic element of the immune system) count of less than 200. Only a physician can make a diagnosis that a person with HIV now has AIDS. An AIDS diagnosis does not mean that an individual will die soon. With good medical care it is possible for a person to maintain good health even after an AIDS diagnosis.
