Dec 01 2008
HIV and AIDS are not synonymous
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death of people in the US between 25-45 years of age.
Our immune system is responsible for fighting off diseases.
HIV is a virus belonging to the group, retroviruses. It causes a progressive disease. Once you get the virus, it starts attacking your immune system killing healthy immune system cells. This destruction of cells eventually leads to AIDS.
AIDS causes diseases that are harmless to normal healthy adults but become life-threatening to HIV infected people.
In simple words, AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection.
HIV infected patients usually develop AIDS after a gap of 10 years.
Further Reading:
God’s Child - World AIDS Day - By Cathy Couey
Staying Clean and Sober in the Everyday World - World AIDS Day - Cathy Couey
