what is HIV positive?

Question

the disease

Answer 1

If you are positive for the HIV virus, it means you have AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS or Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections in humans resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).[1] The late stage of the condition leaves individuals prone to opportunistic infections and tumors. Although treatments for AIDS and HIV exist to slow the virus's progression, there is no known cure. HIV is transmitted through direct contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with a bodily fluid containing HIV, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, preseminal fluid, and breast milk.[2][3] This transmission can come in the form of anal, vaginal or oral sex, blood transfusion, contaminated needles, exchange between mother and baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, or other exposure to one of the above bodily fluids.

Most researchers believe that HIV originated in sub-Saharan Africa during the twentieth century;[4] it is now a pandemic, with an estimated 38.6 million people now living with the disease worldwide.[5] As of January 2006, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized on June 5, 1981, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. In 2005 alone, AIDS claimed an estimated 2.4 - 3.3 million lives, of which more than 570,000 were children.[5] A third of these deaths are occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, retarding economic growth and destroying human capital. Antiretroviral treatment reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, but routine access to antiretroviral medication is not available in all countries.[6] HIV/AIDS stigma is more severe than that associated with other life-threatening conditions and extends beyond the disease itself to providers and even volunteers involved with the care of people living with HIV.

Answer 2

There are a WHOLE bunch of people who are answering this that need to go back to basic health class in middle school. Being HIV positive just means that you have the virus. It doesn't mean that you have AIDS. You can live for years with the HIV virus in your system before it develops into AIDS...just ask Magic Johnson.

Answer 3

HIV positive means that your blood carries titers of the HIV antibody. HIV is a type of virus belonging to the family of retroviruses that is responsible for AIDS. This is acquired by getting infected by an HIV positive person through exchange of body fluids like sexual intercourse, contact of any body fluid through a mucosal break, wound. kissing would not count unless you have open sores. being HIV positive doesn't mean you have AIDS. AIDS is the full blown manifestation of HIV. This means that your immune system is so inefficient that it is not able to amount any type of defense against infection hence you get sick alot and more seriously.

Answer 4

A positive HIV test result means that you are infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Being infected with HIV does not mean that you have AIDS right now. However, if left untreated, HIV infection damages a person’s immune system and can progress to AIDS.

Answer 5

HIV positive means you have an HIV disease. HIV negative is the opposite.

Answer 6

it means that a person who is hiv positive has a virus that attacks white blood cells(also contagious through sexual activity, not casual touching!!), which are extremely essential for immunity. then the hiv will most likely develop into AIDS, which attacks the whole immune system in the body. then when the immune system is weak, other diseases come into your body. these are called "opportunistic infections" and these take advantage of the fact that the immune system is weak so then they attack you. make you sick and eventually you most likely die.

Answer 7

it does NOT mean you have AIDS! It simply means you are carrying the HIV virus you don't have AIDS untill it affects your immune system sometimes not for 10-20 years. You can be treated with antiviral meds to postpone getting full blown AIDS but as of now there is no cure

Answer 8

It means that you caught the virus which causes AIDS. If so, then you're in huge trouble. Your health is going downhill and (if you do get full blown AIDS) you'll be ingurgitating tons of pills every day just to keep level. Check with your school nurse or your doctor for info. You don't want to be ignorant about this issue.

Answer 9

People are still stupid to the facts! HIV and AIDS are not the same!

Answer 10

What the cook dude said.