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HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. AIDS develops when the immune system of a person with HIV becomes very weak as a result of HIV infection. A virus is a small, infectious particle that can only live inside of cells, often referred to as the host.

Viruses cause disease by attacking and invading the cells of their host. Many other diseases are also caused by viruses, including the common cold, the flu, measles, and chicken pox.

HIV works in the body by attacking and weakening the human immune system. Your immune system is responsible for protecting you against disease-causing germs, such as bacteria and viruses. Therefore, people with HIV are less capable of fighting off infection. AIDS develops when the immune system becomes so weak as a result of HIV infection that a person with HIV is no longer able to fight off any type of infection. People are said to have AIDS when their CD4 cell count is less than 200, or they have 1 or more AIDS-related illnesses.

Hear No Evil, See No Evil...

Just because you don't notice any changes does not mean that HIV is not damaging your immune system. Over time, if left untreated, HIV can damage your immune system so much that your body is unable to defend itself against other diseases or infections, leading to AIDS. This is one of the reasons why early testing and treatment are so important!

Symptoms of HIV Infection

The following list of symptoms may be signs of HIV infection:

Rapid weight loss when you are not dieting

Dry cough

Fever that will not go away

Excessive night sweats

Being excessively weak or tired for no clear reason

Swollen glands in the armpits, groin, or neck

Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week

White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat

Pneumonia

Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids

Memory loss or depression

Each of these symptoms can also be related to other illnesses or conditions, and having 1 or more of these health problems does not mean that you are HIV+. Keep in mind, getting tested is the only way to be certain about your HIV status. Many people with HIV do not experience any noticeable signs of infection for years. So, if you experience 1 or more of these symptoms, it is important that you see your healthcare provider as soon as possible for more information about your HIV testing options. Additional HIV testing information is also available on this Web site. This site is intended for US residents only.