2. What is the difference between HIV and AIDS? HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that only affects human beings A person develops HIV if the virus gets into his or her bloodstream and begins making more and more of itself, or reproducing People living with HIV may have no symptoms for tenor more years They may not even know they are living with the virus An HIV testis the only way to find out if a person is living with HIV Once a person is living with HIV, it will attack the body’s defense system, known as the immune system Without treatment, most people living with HIV become unable to fight off germs and other viruses so they can become very sick AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a late stage of HIV disease According to the CDC, a person living with HIV has AIDS when he or she • has a very weakened defense system, or • develops a serious illness that we know can be caused by HIV Fora list of these illnesses, visit www cdc gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ rr5710a2 htm
