HIV vs. AIDS

HIV vs. AIDS

It is a common misconception that HIV and AIDS are the exact same thing.

HIV: A virus that attacks the body's white blood cells (CD4 cells) that are crucial for fighting off diseases. Having HIV does not mean a person has AIDS.

AIDS: The syndrome that occurs when HIV has severely depleted the immune system, leading to specific complications. Not everyone living with HIV will develop AIDS.

How is an AIDS diagnosis made?

Healthcare professionals diagnose AIDS based on specific criteria established by health organizations:

Low CD4 Count: A CD4 cell count dropping below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (in a healthy person, this count is typicallyp between 500 and 1,600).

Opportunistic Infections: The presence of one or more "AIDS-defining conditions," which are specific infections or cancers that the body can no longer fight due to the weakened immune system.

Treatment and Management

While there is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS, the disease is highly treatable:

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): This is the standard medical treatment for HIV. It involves taking a combination of daily medications or long-acting injections that stop the virus from multiplying.

Immune Recovery: If individuals with HIV start ART early and take it consistently, they can keep their CD4 counts strong and viral load suppressed, preventing the disease from ever progressing to AIDS.

To learn more about treatment options, testing, or finding a local care provider, visit the HIV.gov Basics resource.