What is the difference between HIV and AIDS

It is important to understand ‘what is the difference between HIV and AIDS’ and many people are confused between the two. There is an abundance of stigma and prejudice in society regarding HIV and AIDS and even though it is one of the largest killers of our time, is widely unspoken about. Many people are under the impression that if you get HIV you will get AIDS or your have AIDS already. It is also a popular mistaken belief that having HIV means you are contagious by breath or touch alone. Of course this is not the case. Touch, breath, tears and saliva are all methods which do not transfer this virus.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the virus that infects people and attacks the immune system of an individual. People who have HIV may live out long and fulfilling lives without ever developing AIDS. HIV is usually seen as a package deal with AIDS but a person may live or die without ever developing AIDS if they have HIV. However, many do develop AIDS although this may be years after initial infection.

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS? HIV is the virus that attacks your immune system. AIDS develops later because of the low immunity your body has and is usually defined when a sufferer of HIV contracts several infections or illnesses such as a bacterial infection, Pneumonia or a Cancer. These are known as “opportunistic infections”.

AIDS is usually defined when a person’s CD4 count in their blood is below 200 per micro liter. A usual healthy person would have approximately 500 to 1,500 CD4 per micro liter. AIDS can also be diagnosed though, when a patient contracts several “opportunistic infections” at the same time.