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What is HIV and what is AIDS?
*Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an infectious disease that can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV causes a breakdown of the immune system resulting in a loss in the ability to resist infections and disease. As HIV progresses, the body's immune system weakens and infections and/or diseases appear until the infected person's condition satisfies the case definition of AIDS.

How did AIDS get its name?
In 1982, CDC officially adopted the name, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS),
After meeting with groups composed of persons with hemophilia, blood industry
Officials, gay community organizations, and assorted leaders from CDC, the National
Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration.

The Difference Between HIV and AIDS
*HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Let's take a closer look at these words and what they mean:
*"H" is for Human, meaning that only humans get this virus. That's another way of saying that the virus is "species specific." So you don't have to worry about ever getting infected from a pet or a mosquito
*"I" is for Immunodeficiency, meaning that this virus causes your immune system to have some serious problems. The immune system is what fights off diseases and infections. When your immune system starts to have problems, it makes it easier for you to get sick and harder for you to get well.

*"V" is for Virus, which refers to the specific type of germ or antigen. Other types of germs are bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Fortunately, all of those types of germs can be killed with specific medications. Unfortunately, viruses can't be killed. You can't take a medicine like an antibiotic and get rid of HIV. Viruses stay with us forever. Sometimes we are able to create conditions where they don't cause us any problems, and that is where a strong and healthy immune system comes in handy.

*
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is the result of a weakened immune system caused by HIV infection. AIDS is diagnosed when a person tests positive for HIV and also has one or more of the "opportunistic infections" of AIDS (there are 27) and/or has a laboratory marker test of 200 or fewer T-cells. AIDS should be diagnosed by a physician. The opportunistic infections associated with AIDS are called "AIDS-defining illnesses" and should also be diagnosed by a physician.

*Both HIV infection and AIDS are considered to be chronic illnesses managed with both pharmaceutical (pharmacy drugs) therapies and complementary (alternative) therapies. In most cases, people can live for many years with HIV infection and with AIDS. It is usually impossible to know just how long a person will live with AIDS. Today's HIV therapies are extending the lives of Persons Living With AIDS as well as helping to improve their quality of life.
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