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 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):

is transmitted from person to person through exchange of body fluids such as blood, semen and vaginal secretions.

  • HIV damages the body's immune system by attacking Helper T cells or CD4 cells
  • With a weakened immune system, the body becomes more susceptible to other illnesses and infections
  • In 2006, The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that 56,000 new HIV infections occurred in the United States (cdc.gov)
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS):

is an advanced state of HIV infection. HIV positive (HIV+) diagnosis will change to an AIDS diagnosis when:

  • T cell count falls below 200μL
    • Or
  • an opportunistic infection is contracted
Acquired: not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease-causing agent (in this case, HIV).
ImmunoDeficiency: characterized by a weakening of the immune system.
Syndrome: group of symptoms that indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS, this can include the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain specific blood cells, called CD4+ T cells, which are crucial to helping the body fight disease.

INTD 219: AIDS
Whittier College
May 11, 2010