HIV infection
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
14 Myths About HIV
MYTH: HIV Means You Have AIDS
MYTH: HIV Means You Have AIDS
The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, attacks and destroys CD4+ T cells — the cells in your body that help fend off infection and illness. AIDS(acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the late stage of an HIV infection, when a person’s immune system is severely weakened. Without treatment, most cases of HIV infection will indeed progress to overt AIDS within several years. In fact, most experts now typically refer to “HIV/AIDS” as a single condition because it is a progression of the same virus. However, modern anti-HIV treatment is highly effective and usually prevents the progression of HIV to AIDS.
By Jenilee Matz, MPH. Published 4/16/12. Reviewed on 103/18 by Wayne S. Blocker, MD Board Certification: Obstetrics & Gynecology Licensure: FL #ME0025645 Statistics have been verified
Sources
