Keith Crawford AIDS is an advanced from of HIV infection. It occurs usually after someone has been infected for a significant period of time (usually many years) and not received treatment. As a result, the immune system has been damaged and the person is at risk for many dangerous infections, certain types of cancer and other complications (e.g. nerve damage, kidney problems, dementia). If the person receives effective therapy, many of these problems will be reversed as the immune system is regenerated. It is much better to start treatment before the disease has progressed so it is important to get tested regularly.
Virginia Caine HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that weakens a person’s immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. If left untreated can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). AIDS is a diagnosis that is determined by special immune T cells called a CD4 count. When your immune system over time has become so low and less than 200 cubic millimeters of blood, you are vulnerable to the onset of one or more opportunistic infections. AIDS is often classified as an advanced stage of HIV where they are susceptible to life threatening opportunistic infections or cancers – not everyone will convert to AIDS.