HIV & AIDS

What is HIV & AIDS?

HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus only affects the CD4 or T-helper cells  (white blood cells) in your immune system, making it more difficult for your body to fight off other infections like common colds, influenza, and germs. HIV is only passed through bodily fluids that contain a significant amount of the virus, such as blood, semen/pre-cum, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. It is not transmittable through tears, urine, feces, sweat, and saliva.

Regular testing for HIV is important for a couple reasons:

• A person who has been exposed to HIV may not notice any symptoms for years before they get diagnosed.
• There is a 3-month period between the time of HIV infection and the time when antibodies in the body will show up on a test, meaning that a negative test taken within 3 months of infection will not be accurate.

AIDS

AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. A person only acquires AIDS if their immune system has been weakened from the effects of HIV and they have been diagnosed with two opportunistic infections. Common opportunistic infections include tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia, herpes simplex, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), and toxoplasmosis. HIV medications and a healthy lifestyle help to extend the onset of AIDS by slowing the process of HIV replication in the human body.