When Does HIV Become AIDS?

The best way to describe HIV and AIDS is that they are different ends of a continuum. However, although HIV and AIDS are closely related, there are marked differences between the two conditions. HIV is not AIDS. It is possible for an HIV-infected person not to develop AIDS at all.
To understand when HIV infection becomes full-blown AIDS, let's first look at the difference between HIV and AIDS.

HIV

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks the immune system and destroys the T-helper cells. The T-helper cells are like watchdogs--their function is to find and isolate pathogens so that the immune system can destroy them. In a person with HIV, the destruction of the T-helper cells enables the virus to infiltrate and destroy the immune system.

AIDS

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a series of diseases and infections that occur as a result of a deficient immune system. It is not actually a disease but the end result of damage done by the HIV virus.

Why HIV is not AIDS

• People in the early stages of HIV still have functioning immune systems. As long as the immune system is still working, it can protect the body from the opportunistic infections characteristic of AIDS.

When HIV Becomes AIDS

• There are three major indicators of full-blown AIDS: viral load, low T-cell (CD4) levels and the presence of opportunistic infections. Viral load is the amount of HIV virus present. A high viral load and low T-cell count signal a deficient immune system.

Living With HIV

• There are several drug therapies designed to lower the HIV viral load and increase T-cell levels. A person with HIV, who keeps her T-cell levels up, could live a long, productive life with HIV and not develop AIDS.