FAST FACTS:

• HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. If untreated, a person’s immune system will eventually be completely destroyed.

• AIDS refers to a set of symptoms and illnesses that occur at the very final stage of HIV infection.

• Testing regularly for HIV means you can access treatment if you need it and stay healthy.

Basic facts about HIV:

• HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus.
  

• There is effective antiretroviral treatment available so people with HIV can live a normal, healthy life.
  

• The earlier HIV is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can start – leading to better long term health. So regular testing for HIV is important.
  

• HIV is found in semen, blood, vaginal and anal fluids, and breast milk.
  

• HIV cannot be transmitted through sweat, saliva or urine.
  

• Using male condoms or female condoms during sex is the best way to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
  

• If you inject drugs, always use a clean needle and syringe, and never share equipment.
  

• If you are pregnant and living with HIV, the virus in your blood could pass into your baby’s body, or after giving birth through breastfeeding. Taking HIV treatment virtually eliminates this risk.

Basic facts about AIDS:

• AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
  

• AIDS is also referred to as advanced HIV infection or late-stage HIV.
  

• AIDS is a set of symptoms and illnesses that develop as a result of advanced HIV infection which has destroyed the immune system.
  

• Treatment for HIV means that more people are staying well, with fewer people developing AIDS.
  

Although there is currently no cure for HIV with the right treatment and support, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives. To do this, it is especially important to take treatment correctly and deal with any possible side-effects.

What is the link between HIV and AIDS?

AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

AIDS is the name used to describe a combination of potentially life-threatening infections & cancers, which can develop when someone’s immune system has been damaged by HIV.

You cannot catch AIDS & there is no AIDS test. HIV causes AIDS & it is HIV that can be passed on.

Being diagnosed with AIDS means different things for different people. Just because someone has AIDS does not mean they will die – but it is important to have medical care & treatment.

Treatment with combinations of anti-HIV drugs can keep the immune system strong, & because of this the number of people who are diagnosed with AIDS has fallen. Thanks to effective HIV treatment, many people who developed AIDS are now very well & can look forward to a long & healthy life.

What is HIV & AIDS

What is HIV?

The initials in HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus.

This particular virus was identified in the 1980s & belongs to a group of viruses called ‘retroviruses’.

HIV attacks the immune system, & gradually causes damage. This can mean that, without treatment & care, a person with HIV is at risk of developing serious infections & cancers that a healthy immune system would fight off.

Current treatment for HIV works by reducing the amount of HIV in the body so the immune system can work normally. This doesn’t get rid of HIV completely, but with the right treatment & care, someone with HIV can expect to live a long & healthy life.

HIV is present in blood, genital fluids (semen, vaginal fluids & moisture in the rectum) & breast milk.

The main ways HIV can be passed on to someone else are:

• during unprotected anal, vaginal & oral sex,
• by sharing injecting equipment, & 
• from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, birth or through breastfeeding.

But there are ways of preventing HIV infection in all of these situations.

A test can tell if you have HIV. If you do, this is described as being HIV positive.

If you are ‘HIV positive’ this means that you have a virus called HIV in your body. It doesn’t mean that you are ill, or that you have AIDS, or that you are dying.

If you have HIV but don’t take treatment, HIV will slowly attack the immune system, which is your body’s ability to fight other infections.

But there are drug treatments for HIV. They can stop HIV reproducing, & so limit the damage to your immune system & keep you in good health. Because of these drugs, most people living with HIV can expect to have a normal life expectancy.

‘AIDS’ is different from HIV. AIDS can happen if somebody goes a long time without treatment & the immune system becomes very weak. It means that a person with HIV is at risk of developing serious infections & illnesses that a healthy immune system would be able to fight off.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

AIDS is the result of damage to the immune system. A damaged immune system is unable to protect the body against certain specific 'opportunistic' infections & tumours.

These infections & tumours are called opportunistic because they are caused by organisms normally controlled by the immune system, but that 'take the opportunity' to cause disease when the immune system has been damaged.

The timing & types of clinical problems affecting persons with AIDS can vary widely & this is why it is termed a syndrome. AIDS is a collection of different signs and symptoms that are all part of the same underlying medical condition, human immunodeficiency virus infection.

"Vakratunda Mahaakaay Suuryakotisamaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva, Sarvakaaryeshhu Sarvadaa" Heartiest greetings & best wishes on this Ganesh Chaturthi to all of you.
"Ganapati Bappa Moryaa, Mangalmurthi Moryaa aani Pudacheya Varshi Lokaryaa"

With Dharmendra in Mumbai on 17/03/2012.