"HIV vs. AIDS: Differences and connections"

Although the terms HIV and AIDS are often used interchangeably, there are differences between the two diagnoses.

HIV is a virus that attacks a type of white blood cells called CD4 cells in the body's immune system. HIV reduces the body's ability to fight infection and illness. While humans can fight off many other viruses, the body can never completely remove HIV once it is contracted.

AIDS is a condition that may develop after a person gets HIV. It is possible to have HIV without developing AIDS, but it is not possible to have AIDS without first having HIV.

How does HIV lead to AIDS?

Not everyone who gets HIV goes on to develop AIDS. However, a proper treatment program is necessary to slow or stop this progression in most cases.

If left untreated, HIV continues to damage the immune system and increases the risk of developing an opportunistic infection.

Opportunistic infections

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define opportunistic infections as "infections that occur more frequently and are more severe in individuals with weakened immune systems."

Examples of opportunistic infections that develop in those with HIV include:

• cancers, such as invasive cervical cancer, lung cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, carcinomas, and lymphomas
• candidiasis, a fungal infection of the mouth, throat, or vagina
• cytomegalovirus, a viral infection that can cause blindness
• pneumocystis pneumonia, a fungal form of pneumonia that can be fatal
• toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection of the brain
• tuberculosis, a bacterial infection of the lungs

AIDS: Stage 3 of HIV infection

AIDS is the final stage (stage 3) of HIV infection. It is diagnosed based on a CD4 cell count or the development of one or more opportunistic infections. Stage 1 is the acute stage of HIV and stage 2 is the clinical latency stage. More information on these two stages is included later in the article.

The CD4 cell count in healthy individuals ranges from 500 to 1,600 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (cells/mm3). According to AIDS.gov, those with HIV are considered to have developed AIDS when their CD4 cell count drops to under 200 cells/mm3.

If treatment is not sought, AIDS typically develops between 2 and 15 years after infection with HIV. The rate at which the virus develops depends on many factors, including the patient's age, general health, genetics, the presence of other infections, and standard of health care.

People who seek treatment before the condition advances, and maintain treatment throughout their lives, can usually expect to live almost as long as a person without HIV.

Source: Medical News Today