HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that causes AIDS (Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the HIV virus "may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person’s broken skin or mucous membranes.

In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding.

People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection."

Clarifying the difference between HIV and AIDS

The immune system is made up of a number of specialized cells in your blood, called white blood cells, that act together to fight off infections. These cells move through your blood vessels and detect and destroy foreign invaders, such as bacteria or viruses.

Unfortunately, the HIV virus attacks a certain type of cell in the immune system called CD4 cells (also known as T cells) and uses them to make more copies of itself, something you may have heard your loved one's doctor call viral replication. T cells recognize foreign invaders and help other cells in the immune system to destroy them.

When HIV attacks CD4 cells to makes copies of itself, the amount of virus in the blood (the viral load) goes up while the number of CD4 cells goes down. When this happens, the immune system gets weaker, and a person can’t fight infections and disease as easily. A healthy person normally has 800 to 1200 CD4 cells/mm3, while patients with HIV can have CD4 cell counts as low as 200 cells/mm3. If your loved one's CD4 cell count goes below 200 cells/mm3 or if he or she start to develop infections, then HIV infection has progressed to AIDS.

Statistics

• At least 1.2 million people in the United States and 40 million people worldwide are believed to be living with HIV/AIDS. ^1,2
• Each year, there are approximately 40,000 new HIV infections
• An estimated 415,000 people are currently living with AIDS in the United States³
• There are believed to be approximately 240,000 unreported cases of HIV/AIDS in the United States
• Women and people of color have increasingly been infected over the last 2 decades³
• If left untreated, HIV can make copies of itself constantly and quickly
• Because billions of copies of the virus are made every day, HIV begins to attack T cells and damage your immune system very quickly

The fight against HIV/AIDS includes:

•        Prevention

•        Testing

•        Nutrition

•        Exercise

•        HIV medications

Rates of HIV progression to AIDS and AIDS-related deaths have decreased dramatically over the last 10 years because of advances in HIV treatment and a better understanding of how to better manage the disease.

Between 1993 and 1999, there were dramatic decreases in both new AIDS cases and related deaths, followed by a plateau between 1999 and 2004.

This information is intended only as an educational aid and is not intended as medical advice. This information is not intended to discuss information related to your HIV treatment options. As always, talk to your healthcare professionals if you have any questions related to treatment or health status.

Educational, Advocacy and Service Resources

Resistance Testing Information from Resist-HIV.info

AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth, and Families

AIDS Action

Elton John AIDS Foundation

Gay Mens Health Crisis

National Minority AIDS Council

National Association of People With AIDS

Project Inform

The Body

POZ magazine

AIDS Education Global Information System

Aids.org

Medscape HIV/AIDS

AIDS Treatment Data Network

AIDSMeds.com

National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project

National Institute of Health AIDS Information

HIVInfo.US

Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

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