What is HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a deadly virus that weakens the immune system. The immune system has the ability to protect and fight off against infections and diseases. HIV infects all the cellsin the immune system, mostly one type of white blood cells called T cells (also known as CD4 cells). These cells are the key parts of the immune system that are designed to fight infections and diseases, therefore when they were destroyed, the body become vulnerable to cancers and ‘opportunistic infections.' Individuals who have been infected with HIV are said to be HIV positive (HIV+).
This bodysoulcharity's (2012) short animation provides the basic information on what HIV is.
This bodysoulcharity's (2012) short animation provides the basic information on what HIV is.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and refers to the final fatal stage of HIV infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when a HIV-infected person is diagnosed with one or more opportunistic infections or has T cells less than 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (a normal T cells count ranges from 500-1000 per cubic millimeter of blood), he or she is said to have AIDS (hivinsite 2011). On average, it usually takes 2-10 years, or longer, for HIV infection to progress into AIDS.