Fact Sheet: HIV

Viruses have been around for thousands of years and there are many kinds of viruses. Some viruses cause colds and illnesses like the flu, others can cause more serious illnesses like AIDS, hepatitis, or herpes. A virus can't live on its own or spread on its own. It needs human cells to live and grow. Most people are infected with some kind of virus. It's just part of being made of flesh and blood. Usually, your immune system is able to keep viruses under control.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The HIV virus infects cells of the immune system. Your immune system is what protects you from infections and disease. HIV uses cells of your immune system to grow. When HIV has used one of these cells to grow, the cell can no longer do its job, leaving your body without a part of its immune system. Pieces of the HIV virus go all over the body. Even pieces of virus can cause damage.

The blood test to find out if you're HIV-positive (HIV +) tells the doctor if your body is making antibodies. Antibodies are made by your immune system to fight infection. If your body is making antibodies to HIV, this means you've been infected with the virus. Once you've tested positive for antibodies to HIV, you will always test positive.

Each day, HIV creates billions of new HIV viruses in the body. The body's natural reaction to infection is to produce a strong response. In response to HIV infection, the immune system of someone who is HIV+ produces billions of cells to fight HIV every day as well.

But HIV takes every chance it gets to produce faster than the body can attack it. Eventually, in most people, the virus gets the upper hand, unless treatments stop it. AT this point, we know there are several treatments that can slow the infection down. We also know that a handful of people are able to fight off the virus for a long time. Doctors agree that HIV infection needs to be treated so that you don't get sick or sicker.

Get regular blood tests to watch your immune system. It is also important to get blood tests to check for other important things like your liver functions and for anemia. Most people only go to the doctor when they're already ill. People with HIV can't wait until they're sick. Go over your blood test results with your doctor. Remember, it is your right as a patient to ask questions and have your test results explained to you in a language you understand.

Some questions you might want to ask are: How is my immune system now? Do I need any treatments right now? What are the usual treatments used for where I am now? Do I need to get any vaccines?

With HIV infection, your immune system may slowly get weaker or become overreactive. Either way, HIV starts a process that is very hard to stop once it starts. With a weakened immune system, you can more easily get infections and cancers. You may not see any signs of these at first. Doctors can use blood tests to see how your immune system is doing. These tests can tell you and your doctor if there are treatments you need to help keep you from getting infections that can make you very sick.

You don't have AIDS as soon as you're infected with HIV. The disease process takes awhile - around 10 years on average. It goes from being HIV + without any symptoms or signs of disease; to being HIV + with symptoms; to having AIDS. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Immune deficiency means that your immune system has been damaged by HIV. A damaged immune system can't protect you from infections as well as a healthy immune system.

Many doctors use your T4 cells to measure the current status of your immune system. The normal range for T4 cells are usually 500-1600 cells. For many people whose T4 cells fall below 200, there is increased risk of certain infections. If you have less than 200 T4 cells, talk to your doctor about preventive treatment. Preventive treatments are also called prophylaxis. These treatments help keep you from getting infections you can get as your T4 cell count drops. Tests can show which infections you've been exposed to. Your healthcare provider can tell you about treatments. Be sure to find out what the side effects and benefits are for each treatment. Preventive treatments can prevent or slow down illness so you stay healthy longer.