What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV is different from most other viruses because it attacks and breaks down the immune system. The immune system gives our bodies the ability to fight infections. HIV finds and destroys a type of white blood cells (T cells, CD4 cells or helper cells) that the immune system needs to fight diseases.

Since HIV breaks down the immune system, an infected body is less and less able to defend itself against bacteria and viruses. The length of time between being infected with HIV and being diagnosed with AIDS depends on many different things. These days, there are many drugs that can be used to help people with HIV, and most doctors believe that a lot of people can be treated for a very long time. Many people do not know exactly when they were infected with HIV, and the length of infection and diagnosis can vary.

As HIV has no clear symptoms, the only way to find out if you are infected with the virus is to be tested. Everyone should know their HIV status to protect themselves and others.