HIV-Aids overview, Transmission, Causes, Symptoms, Risk factors

Health Centers > HIV/AIDS Health Center

What Is AIDS?

Sep 30, 2004

AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. AIDS is a disease that slowly destroys the body's immune system. Without these important defenses, a person with AIDS can't fight off germs and cancers.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It kills an important kind of blood cell - the CD4 T lymphocyte, or T cell. These T cells are the quarterbacks of the immune system. As they die off, the body becomes more and more vulnerable to other diseases. Germs take this opportunity to invade the body. The diseases they cause are called opportunistic infections (OIs for short). When people with HIV get these infections - or when their CD4 T-cell levels get too low - they have AIDS.

Introduction to HIV and Associated Disorders

HIV Transmission and Prevention in Prisons

AIDS HIV Prevention

If you know you are at high risk of HIV infection and come down with a bad case of the flu, see a doctor right away. It could be the early signs of HIV infection ...

HIV Symptoms - AIDS HIV Detection and Treatment

The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get an HIV test ...

Transmission of HIV

In the United States, HIV is spread mainly by having sex or sharing injection drug equipment such as needles with someone who has HIV ...

AIDS/HIV Detection & Treatment

Soon after HIV infection, the body begins to make antibodies that fight the virus. ...

How Can I Prevent AIDS?

art1 ...

Early hiv symptom

Can I get HIV from kissing? - Casual contact through closed-mouth or "social" kissing is not a risk for transmission of HIV ...

Difference Between HIV and AIDS?

What is the Difference Between HIV and AIDS? HIV is the virus that causes AIDS...

What is Armenicum

Armenicum is an anti-HIV therapy currently being studied in Armenia and other countries from the former Soviet Union ...

Symptoms and phases of HIV infection & Aids

HIV/Aids is often called the "silent epidemic" due to its very long incubation period - meaning that a person can be infected for many years without showing any symptoms. ...