HUMAN = this particular virus attacks only human beings, although it is thought to have mutated from its “cousin” SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus).

IMMUNODEFICIENCY = as above, the body is rendered deficient by the immune-destroying virus.

VIRUS = a virus is a particle which gets inside a host’s cells and replicates itself, causing injury or death to the cell and, at times, host.

**NOTE: ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS CAN INCREASE YOUR RISK OF BECOMING INFECTED WITH HIV.

ACQUIRED=to get as one’s own or receive. AIDS is a disease that is blood-borne, so no matter how it is transmitted – you get it from another person.

IMMUNE = the virus of AIDS directly attacks your immune system, which includes: T helper cells, B cells, phagocytes and lymphocytes.

DEFICIENCY = over a span of many years your immune system is slowly destroyed by the replication of countless virus particles leaving your body open for exposure to a variety of diseases once extremely rare in humans.

SYNDROME = a syndrome is characterized by a process or pattern of symptoms.

HIV is the term used to refer to both the virus and the infection it causes. HIV attacks and destroys specific immune system cells called CD4 cells. The body’s loss of these cells makes it less able to ward off other diseases and infections, including cancers. Someone can have the HIV infection and not have AIDS.

AIDS is the final, most advanced stage of an HIV infection.

When left untreated, HIV advances to AIDS after it has wiped out enough CD4 cells. Today, there is treatment available that can help stop the progression of HIV to AIDS. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a combination of medications that are used to prevent HIV from replicating, thereby reducing the amount of the virus in the body. The less HIV in the body, the better chance the immune system has to protect the body against the virus and infection. ART is not a cure, but can help those with HIV live longer lives, be healthier, and helps lower the risk of transmitting HIV to others.

The partner of someone who is on treatment for HIV (or anyone at a high risk of getting the virus) should start a preventive medication called PrEP– pre-exposure prophylaxis. When this pill is taken consistently, it lowers the risk in people who are at risk by helping to keep the virus from founding a permanent HIV infection.