HIV & AIDS

AIDS is the Last Stage of HIV Infection

​Many individuals feel that HIV and AIDS are one and the same. But there is a monumental difference between the two! While HIV is a virus, AIDS is the last stage of HIV infection.

HIV
HIV is a virus that spreads through body fluids and affects the body’s immune system, mostly the CD4 cells (T cells). As time progresses, the virus attacks many of these cells making the body unable to protect itself from infections and diseases. CD4 cells help the immune system fight against infections and the virus mainly reduces the number of CD4 cells in the body. Reduction in the total count of these cells damages the immune system making it harder for the body to stay away from diseases. You can eat immune-boosting foods to help increase immunity levels in your body. Have a complete list of the healthy immune-boosting foods by visiting the website www.firsteatright.com. 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) if left untreated. Never can our body get rid of the virus completely even with treatment. A person once infected with HIV becomes infected for life.
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AIDS
AIDS is the most severe phase of HIV infection. As HIV infection advances to AIDS, the amount of HIV in the body increases and the number of CD4 cells in the body decreases. One good news is that, by using HIV medicines, you can prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS. But, without any medications for HIV, it advances to AIDS in about 10 to 12 years. If the disease is diagnosed in the preliminary stages and treated, the patient can live nearly as long as someone who does not have HIV.