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HIV and AIDS...What is the difference?
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HIV |
AIDS |
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What is it? |
A virus. HIV harms the body’s immune system by attacking certain cells, known as helper T cells or CD4 cells. A weakened immune system is not able to defend the body against illnesses. |
AIDS is the most advanced stage of the HIV disease. It occurs when the individual’s immune system is weakened by HIV to a point where the individual develops one or more of about 25 ‘opportunistic infections’ (OIs), conditions that take advantage of a weakened immune system. |
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How is it spread? |
HIV is spread through the exchange of certain body fluids, including blood, pre-ejaculation, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. HIV is not spread through casual contact hugging or shaking hands. Contact with saliva, tears, and sweat does not result in the transmission of HIV. |
Only individuals affected with HIV can develop AIDS. HIV infection usually progresses to AIDS in an average of 10 years. However, someone in a resource-poor area who might not be adequately nourished may well progress to AIDS and death much more rapidly. |
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Is there a cure? |
There is an antiretroviral medication which slows the progression from HIV to AIDS, and it can keep many people healthy for many years. However, these medicines are not widely available in poor countries. There is still no cure for HIV- the only way to stay safe is not to become infected. |
There is no cure for AIDS. |
Have you ever questioned what the difference between HIV and AIDS actually is?
We hear about HIV/AIDS but how much do we really know about the difference between the two? Because there is a difference – and it’s a big one. HIV is the virus that may cause AIDS, and not everyone who is infected with HIV develops AIDS. Nevertheless, they are two different stages of the same disease. People can live for years with HIV without the disease every developing into AIDS. It is during this time that the greatest strides against the disease can be taken with proper treatment.
HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is the name given for a variety of disease manifestations caused by HIV infection.
HIV belongs to a subset of viruses called retroviruses or slow virus and it is grows in strength over time. HIV is entered through the body through the mucous membranes or through blood to blood contact.
Once you get the virus it slowly begins to attack the immune system, killing off healthy immune system cells. The deterioration and destruction of immune function leads to AIDS, but this could take anywhere between months and years. AIDS is the final stage of the HIV infection.
People with AIDS can get many different kinds of diseases which a healthy person's body would normally fight off quite easily. The body’s immune system is slowly being attacked until it is destroyed and can't fight off infections.
To find out more information about HIV/AIDS, the diseases history and prevention techniques, check out these sites:
What is HIV/AIDS?- TeenAids.org
HIV Prevention Fact Sheet- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies
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