Learn the Basics of HIV
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome). Being HIV positive may not mean you have AIDS right now. But if HIV is
left untreated it can damage your immune system which could lead to AIDS.
Learn more about Starting HIV Treatment.
What does HIV do to your body?
HIV attacks your immune system, which is made up of cells that fight infection and disease. One of the most important of these cells that fights infection is called the CD4 cell. It is also called the "T-helper cell" or T-cell.
- Once HIV is in the body, it infects CD4 (T-cell) cells and makes copies of itself in these cells. This makes new viruses. These new viruses are let out into the blood and they infect other CD4 (T-cell) cells. This process kills the CD4 (T-cell) cells and the CD4 (T-cell) count goes down.
- As CD4 (T-cell) cells are lost, the immune system becomes weak. This makes it harder for your body to fight certain conditions that do not affect most healthy people. These include opportunistic infections (OIs) such as pneumonia, herpes, tuberculosis, and cancers such as lymphoma and cervical cancer.
What is AIDS?
AIDS is the most severe stage of HIV infection. AIDS is diagnosed when your immune system is very weak. If you have HIV and your CD4 (T-cell) count drops below 200 cells/mm3 of blood or you have an OI (opportunistic infection), you are said to have AIDS. These OIs are also called AIDS-defining illnesses. When they are present in someone with HIV, HIV has become AIDS.
Be sure to look at "Where Can I Find Support and Resources?". You can find out where to get more information about HIV and where to find other materials that you might find helpful as you learn about the disease.
Next: Find Ways to Cope with Your Diagnosis