Posted by admins on March 4, 2011 under Diseases and Conditions | 
What is HIV?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. The term immunodeficiency
means a weakened immune system. People who have been infected with HIV
are called HIV-positive (sometimes written: HIV+).
HIV is a virus that weakens your immune system, which is the internal system
that defends your body against disease. Your immune system is supposed
to protect you from infections, but HIV can sneak past it and then attack your
body from the inside. If your immune system becomes weak enough, you can
become sick from other infections.
What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. If HIV is not treated
with anti-HIV drugs, your immune system generally becomes weaker over time.
Eventually, you can become sick with a life-threatening infection, at which point
you are said to have AIDS.
With proper treatment with anti-HIV drugs, most people with HIV can avoid
getting AIDS and stay healthy for a long time. Read more of this article »
Posted by admins on under Diseases and Conditions |
The origin of AIDS and HIV
The origin of AIDS and HIV has puzzled scientists ever since the illness first came to light in the early 1980s. For over twenty years it has been the subject of fierce debate and the cause of countless arguments, with everything from a promiscuous flight attendant to a suspect vaccine programme being blamed. So what is the truth? Just where did AIDS come from?
The first recognised cases of AIDS occurred in the USA in the early 1980s (more about this period can be found on our history of aids page). A number of gay men in New York and California suddenly began to develop rare opportunistic infections and cancers that seemed stubbornly resistant to any treatment. At this time, AIDS did not yet have a name, but it quickly became obvious that all the men were suffering from a common syndrome.
The discovery of HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, was made soon after. While some were initially resistant to acknowledge the connection (and indeed some remain so today), there is now clear evidence to prove that HIV causes AIDS. So, in order to find the source of AIDS, it is necessary to look for the origin of HIV, and find out how, when and where HIV first began to cause disease in humans. Read more of this article »
Posted by admins on 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 »
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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 »