What Is HIV?
WHAT IS HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
HIV weakens the immune system by attacking white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes, also called CD4 cells or T-cells, protect the body from infection. As HIV destroys T-cells over time, it becomes more difficult for the body to protect itself against infection and disease. The destruction of these protective cells can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), which can be fatal if left untreated.
HIV is not the same as AIDS, and living with HIV is not dying of AIDS. While there is no cure for HIV, many people receive treatments that enable them to live long, healthy and productive lives.
This is why EVERYONE should get tested for HIV, because the sooner the virus is detected, the sooner a person can get treatment. With HIV, sooner is better!
Know your status to be the healthiest version of you and to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
If HIV is Left Untreated
One of the biggest consequences of leaving HIV/AIDS untreated is the rate at which the disease progresses from HIV to AIDS. Leaving the virus untreated allows it to do more damage at a faster rate. With proper treatment and specially developed medications, an HIV positive person is more likely to keep a higher T-cell count and live for many years without the virus progressing to AIDS. While treatment does not guarantee that a patient will not eventually become infected with AIDS, it can dramatically increase the chances of a patient’s survival and recovery from various infections.