HIV affects millions of people around the world: people living with HIV, as well as their friends, family and partners.
By learning more about HIV and AIDS, you can protect your health and minimize the impact of the virus on life, or prevent it from being transmitted to those you care about.
What is HIV and AIDS?
FACTS:
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. If left untreated, the human immune system will eventually be completely destroyed.
AIDS is a set of diseases that occur in the last stage of HIV infection.
Regular HIV testing means you can access treatment if you need to and stay healthy.What is HIV?
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, which is our body’s natural defense against disease. The virus destroys the type of white blood cells in the immune system called T-helper cells and makes copies inside those cells. T-helper cells are also called CD4 cells.
As HIV destroys more CD4 cells and makes more copies of itself, it gradually destroys the human immune system. This means that it is more difficult for a person living with HIV who is not receiving treatment to fight infections and diseases.
If HIV is not treated, then in 10 or 15 years, the immune system will be so damaged that it will no longer be able to protect the body. However, the rate of HIV progression depends on age, health and lifestyle.
Key facts about HIV:
HIV means human immunodeficiency virus.
There is an effective antiretroviral treatment (ART), so people with HIV can live a normal, healthy life.
The earlier you are diagnosed with HIV, the sooner you can start treatment that helps you stay healthy. Therefore, regular HIV testing is important.
HIV infection "lives" in semen, blood, vaginal, anal secretions and breast milk.
HIV cannot be transmitted through sweat, saliva or urine.
Using male or female condoms during sex is the best way to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
If you inject drugs, always use a clean needle and syringe and never share them.
If you are pregnant and living with HIV, the virus in your blood can enter your baby or after birth through breastfeeding. The use of ARV therapy virtually eliminates this risk.What is AIDS?
AIDS is not a virus. AIDS is a set of symptoms (or syndromes) caused by the HIV virus. The stage of AIDS occurs when a person’s immune system is too weak to fight infection and therefore other diseases develop in the body. This is the last stage of HIV infection, when the infection has become very widespread in the body, and if left untreated, it will lead to death.
Key facts about AIDS:
AIDS means acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
AIDS is also called advanced HIV infection or late-stage virus.
AIDS is a set of symptoms and diseases that develop as a result of damage to the human immunodeficiency virus that has destroyed the immune system.
HIV treatment means more people are alive and fewer people have AIDS.Although there is currently no cure for HIV that can completely cure the disease, with the right treatment and support, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives. To do this, it is especially important to follow the correct medication and deal with possible side effects.