What are HIV & AIDS?
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). As HIV slowly ravages the body’s immune system, HIV disease progresses. AIDS is the final stage of HIV disease. AIDS is a technical word-defined by the federal government and is diagnosed by having a T-cell (the most basic element of the immune system) count of less then 200 or the presence of certain opportunistic infections. HIV is the virus, AIDS is the disease, and “HIV disease” is the most appropriate way to describe the continuum of HIV and AIDS.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Being HIV-positive or having HIV disease is not the same as having AIDS. Many people are diagnosed with HIV but may not get sick for many years. Once in a person’s system, HIV begins to attack the immune system and for many who are HIV-positive, over a period of time, they can become ill with a number of conditions. AIDS is a technical term defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An HIV-positive person is diagnosed with AIDS when that person has developed certain opportunistic 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 officially make the diagnosis that a person with HIV now has “AIDS”. Generally an AIDS diagnosis occurs many years after infection. HIV is the virus, AIDS is the disease and “HIV disease” is the most appropriate way to describe the continuum
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Being HIV-positive or having HIV disease is not the same as having AIDS. Many people are diagnosed with HIV but may not get sick for many years. Once in a persons system, HIV begins to attack the immune system and for many who are HIV-positive, over a period of time, they can become ill with a number of conditions. AIDS is a technical term defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An HIV-positive person is diagnosed with AIDS when that person has developed certain opportunistic 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 officially make the diagnosis that a person with HIV now has AIDS. Generally an AIDS diagnosis occurs many years after infection. HIV is the virus, AIDS is the disease and HIV disease is the most appropriate way to describe the continuum of H
HIV is what causes AIDs and AIDs is a result of HIV progressing. HIV or human immunodeficiency virus attacks your CD4 cells and your CD4 cells are a part of your immune system that fights diseases and illnesses. Once enough damage has occurred it is considered AIDs. For more information look here: http://www.thebody.com/content/art12757….
