What is AIDS?

What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. It is caused by a virus called HIV; it stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

HIV attacks the key cells in the human body, which fights infections. The CD4+T Cells are part of the immune system in a human body which fights various cancers and infections. After the attack of HIV on CD4+T cells, the Immune system is no longer capable of fighting diseases caused by micro organisms. There is a substantial loss of the number of CD4+T cells and this makes the human body very vulnerable to cancers of any form.

Difference between HIV & AIDS
The term AIDS is an advanced stage of HIV infection, when there is substantial damage to the immune system. A person with HIV infection is does not necessarily get AIDS. When HIV progresses to AIDS, it is a deadly illness and there is absolutely no cure from AIDS.

Half the people who are affected by HIV develop AIDS within 10 years after becoming affected. This time varies from person to person, and many other factors like his health status and life style. A person is said to be affected by AIDS if the CD4+T cells are below 200 in number (healthy person has about 1000 CD4+T cells).

There are more than two dozen AIDS associated conditions, and if any one of these conditions is found, the person is said to be affected by AIDS.

How is the HIV infection established in our body?
The Immune-system cells called dendritic cells begin the process of infection. After exposure, these cells may bind to and carry the virus from the site of infection to the lymph nodes, where other immune system cells become infected. When HIV encounters CD4+ cells, a protein called gp120 that protrudes from HIV’s surface recognizes the CD4+ protein and binds tightly to it. Another viral protein, p24 forms a casing that surrounds HIV’s genetic material. This genetic material is responsible for infecting the cells, producing new viruses and cause disease.