Posted by admins on March 4, 2011 under Diseases and Conditions | 
HIV & AIDS symptoms
It is not possible to reliably diagnose HIV infection or AIDS based on symptoms alone. The only way to know for sure whether a person is infected with HIV is for them to have an HIV test.
People living with HIV may feel and look completely well but their immune systems may nevertheless be damaged. It is important to remember that once someone is infected with HIV they can pass the virus on immediately, even if they feel healthy.
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. If a person infected with HIV does not take effective antiretroviral treatment, over time HIV will weaken their immune system, which will make them much more vulnerable to opportunistic infections.
Symptoms caused by opportunistic infections Read more of this article »
Posted by admins on under Diseases and Conditions |
Diagnosing AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS, is a condition that describes an advanced state of HIV infection. With AIDS, the virus has progressed, causing significant loss of CD4 cells, weakening the immune system to such an extent that the body is at risk for those illnesses and infections said to be “AIDS-defining.” Those illnesses and infections are said to be AIDS-defining because they mark the onset of AIDS. A person is also diagnosed with AIDS when their CD4 count falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood, the level at which the immune system can no longer protect a person from the AIDS-defining illnesses and infections.
Posted by on under Diseases and Conditions |
AIDS stands for acquired immuno deficiency syndrome. An HIV-infected person receives a diagnosis of AIDS after developing one of the CDC-defined AIDS indicator illnesses. An HIV-positive person who has not had any serious illnesses also can receive an AIDS diagnosis on the basis of certain blood tests (CD4+ counts).
A positive HIV test result does not mean that a person has AIDS. A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using certain clinical criteria (e.g. AIDS indicator illnesses). Infection with HIV can Read more of this article »