HIV and AIDS

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HIV and AIDS

HIV (pronounced: /ˌeɪtʃ aɪ ˈviː/), or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, often referred to as T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can't fight off infections and disease. This damage to the immune system makes it harder for the body to fight off infections and some other diseases. Opportunistic infections or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal that the person has AIDS, the last stage of HIV infection.

The etymology of HIV is derived from its full name, Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The term was first used in 1986, replacing the earlier term HTLV-III/LAV.

AIDS (pronounced: /ˈeɪdz/), or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by HIV. By damaging the immune system, HIV interferes with the body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, but not everyone who has HIV advances to this stage.

The etymology of AIDS is derived from its full name, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. The term was first used in 1982, replacing the earlier term GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency).

Related Terms

  • Antiretroviral therapy (ART): The use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection. People on ART take a combination of HIV medicines every day.
  • Opportunistic infection: An infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with HIV, than in people with healthy immune systems.
  • Viral load: The amount of HIV in the blood. One of the goals of antiretroviral therapy is to reduce viral load.
  • CD4 count: A measure of the number of CD4 cells in the blood. The CD4 count of a person who does not have HIV can be between 500 and 1,500. When the CD4 count drops below 200, a person is diagnosed with AIDS.

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