As stated, HIV is the retrovirus that destroys CD4 (T helper) cells in the white blood cells. This causes the body's immune system to weaken and/or be comprimised. AIDS is a classification of HIV infected individuals who have met a certain clinical criteria. One criteria is when the CD4 count drops below 200 (1000 - 1200 in a healthy adult). The other criteria is when an HIV infected individual contracts one of 25 listed opportunistic infections such as pneumosistis carnii pneumonia.
There are four classes of anti-retroviral drugs used as part of combination therapy or HAART (Highly Active AntiRetrovial Therapy). Combination therapies have proven to help reduce the overall retroviral count (stops or slows the virus from replicating) and boost the production of CD4 (T helper) cells.
In this day and time, with the constant advancement in medications, neither HIV nor AIDS is a death sentence if you are seeking medical assistance.
Todd (AIDS - postive since 2004)
2006-12-04 05:15:00
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answer #1
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answered by Todd 2
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HIV and AIDS, though definitely related, are decidedly different.
HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It attacks the immune system.
AIDS is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS is caused by HIV. However, most are phasing out this term in favor of "Advanced HIV Disease".
The progression of HIV infection to AIDS is not always inevitable. There are people who are termed "long term non-progressors". These are people who have had HIV for a very long time but exhibit no appreciable decrease in their immune function; even without taking medications.
Recently, the advancement of HIV infection to AIDS has been slowed dramtically by highly effective (and highly expensive) Anti-HIV medications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (the CDC) there are specific criteria for an AIDS diagnosis. People who have had an HIV positive test result combined with a CD4+ count lower than 200 or CD4+ percentage less than 14 or an opportunistic infection (OI) have AIDS.
That is, a person with HIV and an opportunistic infection (any one of about 30 specific illnesses) is diagnosed with AIDS regardless of the CD4 count. Also, a person with HIV and fewer than 200 CD4 cells is considered to have AIDS even if the person never had an OI.
Finally, once diagnosed with AIDS, the diagnosis never goes away. Even if one's CD4 count rises into the 700 range after being below 200, that person is still considered to have AIDS. Similarly, a person who no longer has an OI will still have a diagnosis of AIDS (or Advanced HIV Disease).
2006-12-04 10:34:30
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answer #2
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answered by BubbaB 4
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HIV is the name of the virus family which causes AIDS, Acquired Immuno-Difficiency Syndrome. The virus itself is actually a few viruses, all related. The answer to your question is that HIV is the virus, and AIDS is sometimes the result of the infection. Some people who are infected by the virus do not develop problems. When the virus causes the immune system to break down and fail to form antibodies for body defense, we say the person has developed AIDS. In and of itself AIDS is not fatal, but the failure of the immune system leaves the body open to a host of other diseases which may be and eventually will be. There are some retro-viral drugs which bolster the immune system and decrease the HIV viral load present in the body.
2006-12-03 22:06:46
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answer #3
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answered by The mom 7
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Recently some nambia Prostitutes have developed an immunity. It was just reported today on CNN, and the medical investigation is on going.
Check Wikipedia:
One thing they might not tell you is that in addition to trial vaccines, there is also an HIV "morning after pill"!!!
2006-12-03 21:44:38
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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HIV= you live
AIDS= you'll probably die
2006-12-04 00:25:27
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answer #5
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answered by mister roy jones 2
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