HIV or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that only infects humans.
A person diagnosed with HIV infection is referred to as being HIV positive.
Once HIV enters the bloodstream, it inserts itself into the cells that make up the immune system and then begins to multiply. The HIV virus attacks the immune system slowly making it easier for a person to get a variety of illnesses known as opportunistic infections. In some cases it may take years for a person to start feeling and looking ill as a result of being HIV positive. During this symptom-less or ‘asymptomatic period’, an HIV positive person can still infect others with the disease.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS is caused by prolonged infection with HIV. Once HIV infection has significantly weakened an individual’s immune system to the point where they are unable to fight off opportunistic infections, that person is diagnosed as having AIDS.
HIV does not discriminate; anyone who has engaged in a risk activity can be infected with HIV regardless of age, gender, economic back ground, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnic origin, etc.
HIV attaches itself to a T cell and enters it. Once inside the T cell, HIV is able to multiply, which eventually leads to the destruction of the T cell. As more and more T cells become infected by HIV and destroyed, the immune system is weakened and becomes less able to fight off germs and bacteria.
Some people with HIV develop symptoms which can be like those of many other conditions:
Such symptoms are often caused by common illnesses and not by HIV infection. If you have concerns about these symptoms, you should check with a doctor or health care practitioner.
The window period is the time between when you are exposed to HIV and when a blood test will be able to measure the antibodies your immune system creates to fight HIV. It can take anywhere from four weeks to three months after HIV enters your body to develop enough antibodies to be measured on an HIV test. Most people will develop enough antibodies to test accurately for HIV from four to six weeks.
There may be some short term symptoms of infection, but without an HIV test you won't know for sure if you have the virus.
The asymptomatic period is the time when HIV is in your body but your immune system is strong so there may be no symptoms of infection. The virus may be active and harming your immune system but you can feel as healthy as ever.
The symptomatic period is when HIV becomes more active in your body. The virus has weakened your immune system after living in your body for a while. Symptoms of HIV infection may begin to appear, or re-appear.
A person is diagnosed with AIDS when he/she has HIV plus one or more of the illnesses specific to the syndrome. At this stage a person has generally been living with HIV for many years and the immune system is severely damaged.
In most cases one of the "opportunistic infections" will eventually cause the death of the person living with AIDS.
While AIDS can still be a fatal illness, some drugs are now being used that can reduce HIV's damage to the immune system, delay symptoms, prevent opportunistic infections, and prolong life.
As the end of 2005, an estimated range of 8,600 - 12,200 people in B.C. were living with HIV and AIDS (Source: BC Ministry of Health)
More HIV statistics can be found here.
At the end of 2005, an estimated 58,000 people were living with HIV (including AIDS). It is also estimated that 27% of HIV positive Canadians are unaware of their infection.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada. Estimates of HIV prevalence and incidence are produced by PHAC every three years. The next HIV estimates for 2008 will be published in 2009.
More HIV statistics can be found here.
As of December of 2007, it was estimated that 33.2 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. (UNAIDS)
More HIV statistics can be found here.
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