### Date : 2024-06-20 08:11 ### Topic : The difference between HIV and AIDS #medicine #internalmedicine #infectology #virus ---- ### Difference Between HIV and AIDS **HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)** and **AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)** are related but distinct terms. HIV is the virus that causes the condition known as AIDS. Understanding the difference between the two is crucial for comprehending the progression of the disease and its management. ### HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) 1. **Definition:** - HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which are crucial for immune response. 2. **Stages of HIV Infection:** - **Acute HIV Infection:** Occurs 2-4 weeks after exposure to the virus, characterized by flu-like symptoms as the body responds to the infection. - **Chronic HIV Infection (Clinical Latency):** The virus continues to multiply at low levels, and individuals may not have symptoms or have mild ones. This stage can last several years with proper treatment. - **Symptomatic HIV Infection:** As the virus multiplies and the immune system weakens, symptoms such as fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and infections may occur. 3. **Transmission:** - HIV is transmitted through contact with infected body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk. Common routes include unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. 4. **Diagnosis:** - HIV is diagnosed through blood tests that detect the presence of HIV antibodies, antigens, or RNA. 5. **Treatment:** - [[Antiretroviral therapy (ART)]] is the primary treatment for HIV. It involves taking a combination of HIV medicines daily to control the virus, reduce the viral load, and maintain immune function. ### AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) 1. **Definition:** - AIDS is the most severe phase of HIV infection. It occurs when the immune system is severely damaged due to the prolonged attack by HIV, resulting in the body's inability to fight off opportunistic infections and certain cancers. 2. **Criteria for Diagnosis:** - AIDS is diagnosed when the CD4 cell count drops below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (a normal range is 500-1,500 cells/mm³), or when an individual develops one or more opportunistic infections or [[Cancers associated with HIV]]. 3. **Symptoms:** - Symptoms of AIDS include rapid weight loss, recurring fever or profuse [[Night Sweats]], extreme and unexplained tiredness, prolonged swelling of the lymph glands, diarrhea that lasts for more than a week, sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals, pneumonia, and red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids. 4. **Complications:** - Individuals with AIDS are highly susceptible to opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, certain types of pneumonia, toxoplasmosis, and cancers such as Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 5. **Treatment:** - The treatment for AIDS involves ART to control HIV and other medications to treat opportunistic infections and conditions. Management of AIDS is more complex due to the multiple health issues that can arise. ### Summary - **HIV** is the virus that causes infection, leading to the progressive weakening of the immune system. It is diagnosed through blood tests detecting HIV-specific antibodies or antigens and managed with ART to control viral load and preserve immune function. - **AIDS** is the final stage of HIV infection, characterized by severe immune system damage, a CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³, or the presence of specific opportunistic infections or cancers. It signifies that the body can no longer defend itself against these infections or diseases effectively. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment with ART can prevent the progression of HIV to AIDS, allowing individuals with HIV to live long, healthy lives.