Is HIV the same as AIDS?

Nov 11, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Feng

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, HIV is not AIDS, but there is a close relationship between HIV and AIDS. Specifically, HIV, short for human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks the human immune system. It primarily targets the body's CD4+ T lymphocytes, leading to weakened immune function and immune deficiency.

Generally speaking, HIV is not AIDS, but there is a close relationship between HIV and AIDS. A detailed analysis is as follows:

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, a virus that attacks the human immune system. It mainly targets CD4+ T lymphocytes, leading to weakened immune function and immunodeficiency. After a person is infected with HIV, the virus replicates within the body and damages the immune system, making it difficult for the body to resist various pathogens and diseases.

AIDS, also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a severe infectious disease caused by HIV infection. AIDS represents the final stage of HIV infection. When an individual's immune system has been severely damaged by HIV, resulting in various opportunistic infections and malignant tumors, he or she is considered to have developed AIDS.

However, being infected with HIV does not equate to having AIDS. HIV-infected individuals may experience a long latency period during which they may exhibit no symptoms at all, although the virus continues to replicate and damage the immune system. Only when the immune system is severely compromised and AIDS-related symptoms appear is the individual considered to have AIDS.

HIV is mainly transmitted through sexual contact, blood transmission, and mother-to-child transmission. Currently, AIDS cannot be completely cured, but early, standardized antiviral treatment can effectively control the disease progression, prolong the patient's life, and reduce infectivity.

HIV-infected individuals should receive standardized antiviral treatment as early as possible to control the disease and reduce infectivity. At the same time, the public should also enhance awareness and prevention of AIDS to jointly safeguard public health security.

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