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Many people (not just kids, but adults, too) don't really understand how HIV and AIDS are related, even though they hear these two words used together all the time.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency (say: ih-myoo-nuh-dih-fih-shun-see) virus. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV is actually the virus that causes the disease AIDS.

HIV Hurts the Immune System
People who are HIV positive have been tested and found to have signs of the human immunodeficiency virus in their blood. HIV destroys part of the immune (say: ih-myoon) system. Specifically, it affects a type of white blood cell called the T lymphocyte (say: lim-fuh-site), or T cell. T cells are one type of «fighter» cell in the blood that help the body fight off all kinds of germs and diseases.

After HIV enters the body, it piggybacks onto a T cell and works its way inside of that cell. Once inside, the virus completely takes over the T cell and uses it as a virus-making factory to make a lot of copies of itself. The newly made viruses then leave the T cell and go on to infect and destroy other healthy T cells as they continue to multiply inside the body. After the virus invades the T cells, they can no longer properly fight infections.

Someone who is infected with the virus is called HIV positive. But it may take years for the virus to damage enough T cells for that person to get sick and develop AIDS. And thanks to new medications, someone infected with HIV can stay relatively healthy and symptom-free for many years. But these medications are very expensive and not available to everyone in the world.

Although the HIV-positive person may feel fine, the virus is silently reproducing itself and destroying T cells. And during this time, the person is still contagious (say: kon-tay-jus), which means he or she is able to give the disease to others.

When the person's immune system has weakened and more of the blood's T cells have been destroyed by the virus, the person can no longer fight off infections. This is when he or she gets very sick. A doctor diagnoses a person with AIDS when the person has a very low number of T cells and shows signs of a serious infection.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. A person with HIV is called HIV positive (HIV+).

HIV makes it hard for your body to fight off sickness. There are cells in your blood called «CD4 cells» or «T cells». These cells help protect your body from disease. HIV kills these cells. A person with HIV does not have as many of these cells as a healthy person.

There is hope.

There are drugs that can treat HIV and help people live longer. These medicines help to keep the virus from building up in your body. These drugs do not stop you from spreading HIV. You can still give the disease to someone else.

People with HIV may need to take 3 or more different medicines every day. You and your doctor will decide which ones are right for you. It is important that you take your HIV medicines every day. Do not stop taking your medicines without talking to your doctor. Over time, you can get very sick if you do not take your medicines.

Use this guide to help you talk to your doctor about the HIV medicines you are taking. This guide provides some basic facts about the HIV medicines that have been approved by the FDA.

There are many things you can do to help improve your health.
Work closely with your doctor to monitor your health.
Take your medicine.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Quit smoking and using illegal drugs.
Get regular exercise.
Women and HIV
Women from all backgrounds and cultures can get HIV. However, increasing numbers of African American and Latino women have HIV.

Learn the facts about women and HIV. Educate yourself to help you live longer. Educate yourself so that you can teach other women how to prevent HIV and AIDS.

Did you know?
Most women get HIV from having unprotected sex with men.
A woman can pass HIV to her baby during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
A woman can also pass HIV to her baby during breastfeeding.
A pregnant woman can take medicine to lower the chance of giving her baby HIV. Pregnant women should talk to their doctor about the pros and cons of taking medicines for HIV. Some anti-HIV medicines should not be taken during pregnancy because they can cause birth defects.
Babies born to women with HIV may need to take anti-HIV medicines after birth to lower the chance that they will get HIV. Talk to your doctor about the best way to treat your baby.
Women who are HIV positive should get regular pap smears and exams to test them for other health problems.
Women with HIV are more likely to have:
Vaginal yeast infections

Other infections such bacterial vaginosis

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Sexually Transmitted Infections like gonorrhea or HPV
Changes in the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer
Anti-HIV Medicines
The main drug treatment for people with HIV is Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (also called HAART). HAART drugs help to slow the growth of HIV in your body.
Serious Side Effects
Possible chance of infection or cancer

FDA Office of Special Health Issues
FDA HIV/AIDS Info
AIDS info
Department of Health