HIV / AIDS

WHAT IS HIV?

HIV is the virus which leads to AIDS. The virus, once it gets into your body, will make copies of itself using your white blood cells and destroy them afterwards. Your white blood cells are a crucial part of your body’s immune system. HIV can stay in your body for several years during which time it weakens the body’s ability to fight off many diseases.

The immune system is the way your body keeps itself free from illnesses.

WHAT IS AIDS?

AIDS is the most serious stage of HIV infection where the immune system is so severely damaged that it is no longer able to fight off certain infections. At this point the person is prone to many life-threatening diseases (called Opportunistic Infections).

There is no cure for AIDS or HIV infection.

Some things that will generally help a person living with HIV have a better quality of life include:

• having support from friends & family;
• access to food and shelter;
• a good diet and exercise routine;
• avoiding drugs and alcohol; and
• avoiding stress.

Having access to treatment and medicine can also help reduce the growth of HIV, treat AIDS related diseases, help reduce the damage to the immune system and reduce symptoms.