Defining AIDS

Defining AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a diagnosis a person who is HIV-positive receives after a blood testing based on CD4 counts, or developing one of the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) defined AIDS indicators for the illness, even if they have not yet experienced any serious illness prior to the testing. Testing positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) does not mean that a person has AIDS yet; a diagnosis of AIDS is made by a doctor in accordance with CDC definitions.

HIV has the potential to weaken the human immune system over time, giving the system increasing difficulty in fighting off different forms of opportunistic infections. For a person with HIV who develops AIDS, opportunistic infections can cause problems that can become life-threatening because the immune system they once had that controlled them no longer can because it is weakened by AIDS. Medical intervention becomes necessary in order to either prevent or treat what have become serious illnesses.

The Difference Between HIV and AIDS

HIV is a virus, and it is the cause of AIDS; it only infects human beings. HIV is an, 'Immuno-deficiency,' virus - meaning that it creates a deficiency in the immune system, causing it to work improperly. Because it is a virus, it is not capable of reproducing itself. HIV reproduces by taking over human cells.

AIDS is something that is acquired; it is an infection that is not transmitted through genes. AIDS also affects the immune system in the human body. The immune system is the part of the body that fights off viruses and bacteria. The deficiency that AIDS causes in the immune system promotes the potential for persons with AIDS to experience a large range of opportunistic infections and a variety of diseases. Because of this potential to experience infection and disease, AIDS is considered to be a, 'syndrome.'

The Length of Time for HIV to Cause AIDS

On average, the amount of time it takes for a person who is HIV positive to present signs which could lead to an AIDS diagnosis is between eight and eleven years, although the amount of time depends on a number of factors such as the person's behaviors and health. Medical treatment is available that can either cure or prevent a number of the illnesses that are associated with AIDS. The earlier AIDS is detected, the earlier a person will have more preventative healthcare and other options available to them.

Symptoms of HIV

When the HIV virus first establishes itself in the body, it is known as a, 'primary infection.' There is a term used by some researchers; 'Acute HIV Infection,' in reference to the period of time between when a person has first been infected and the time when antibodies are produced in order to fight it. The human body usually produces these antibodies within six to twelve weeks.

Persons who are newly infected with HIV will sometimes experience symptoms that resemble the flu and last no longer than a few days, such as chills, night sweats, fevers, and rashes. Others may notice nothing at all, or have symptoms that are very mild. Because of the general nature of these symptoms it is difficult to tell if it is HIV. If you have had a potential risk of contact with HIV and have experienced these symptoms it is possible that it may be HIV; but it may also be some other form of viral infection.

Symptoms of AIDS

There are no general, common symptoms of the AIDS virus. Persons experiencing severe immune system damage and opportunistic infections which are caused by organisms that would not otherwise grow or spread as rapidly in a healthy person are considered to have AIDS after being identified as HIV-positive. These organisms involve infections and diseases that are known to the Centers for Disease Control in conjunction with AIDS.

HIV Transmission

The HIV virus can be transmitted from one person to another through semen, blood, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. Of these, blood has the highest concentration of the virus; followed by semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. The HIV virus can also be spread through activities that allow for its transmission, such as unprotected sexual activity.

Contact with blood through transfusions, or needles used for injections, are another way HIV has the potential to spread. A needle used to inject drugs has the potential to pass blood directly from one person to another and is an efficient way to spread a blood-borne virus. People who share needles are at high-risk of becoming HIV-positive. Accidents in healthcare settings are as well. Blood products present a certain potential to spread the HIV virus.

The human mouth is an inhospitable environment for the HIV virus when it is present in semen, vaginal secretions, or in blood. What this means is that the risk of transmitting HIV through the throat, gum's, or oral membranes is not as great as it is through either vaginal or anal membranes. There are documented cases of oral HIV transmission; it is not completely safe - it is considered a low risk practice. Safe sex practices are always encouraged.

Vaginal and anal intercourse can spread the HIV virus through mucus membranes, either directly, or through cuts and sores which have been caused during intercourse. Oftentimes, these sores or cuts go un-noticed. Both vaginal and anal intercourse are considered to be high-risk sexual practices.

There is a possibility that a mother could pass the HIV virus to a child, either before or during birth, or through their breast milk. Breast milk is a means of transmission of the HIV virus to infants, and contains the HIV virus if the mother is HIV-positive.

Some body fluids are *not* infectious; meaning that they do not spread or carry the HIV virus. These body fluids include tears, sweat, saliva, urine, and feces.

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