Signs and symptoms of AIDS

To begin this discussion about AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, it?s helpful to first understand the virus that is associated with it. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infects certain types of white blood cells, mainly CD4 cells (also called helper cells or T cells), which are a part of the immune system that protect against infection. The virus damages the immune system and leaves individuals vulnerable to otherwise harmless infections and certain other diseases. AIDS is a result of the progression of HIV in the body. The criteria for an AIDS diagnosis includes an HIV positive person?s CD4 count dropping below a certain level or having developed a certain type of infection that more often occurs in those with severely weakened immune systems, which are referred to as opportunistic infections (OIs) (to read more about the specifics on the AIDS diagnosis, check out What is AIDS? [2] in the Go Ask Alice! archives). Treatment can be useful in delaying the progression from HIV to AIDS, allowing individuals to live longer, healthier lives. However, without treatment, HIV may continue to weaken the immune system.