Jessie I Snyder

Can You Get AIDS Without Getting HIV?



Posted: Wednesday, July 27, 2011

by Jessie I Snyder
TRUE INSPIRATIONS

Can you contract AIDS without contracting HIV? No. You will contract HIV-Human Immunodeficiency Virus first, then when your immune system breaks down and is damaged then the virus turns into AIDS-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. You can contract HIV from a person who has either HIV or full-blown AIDS.

HIV virus is the virus that causes AIDS. In rare cases, if you get an HIV test and you test positive for AIDS, it just means that you have had HIV virus for a substantial amount of time. If your CD4 cells (the cells that fight off infection) are below 200 or you are diagnosed with an opportunistic infection (A type of infection that only infects a person with a suppressed immune system) then you may test positive for AIDS. That is why it is very important to know your HIV status. The sooner you find out that you are HIV positive the better the chances are of the virus not turning into AIDS. Once you find out that you are HIV positive you should start on HIV medications immediately, as this will give you a fighting chance of controlling the HIV virus and never being diagnosed with full-blown AIDS.

Everyone should know there HIV status because the sooner you find out that you are infected with HIV the sooner you can start on antiretroviral medications (drugs that help to fight the HIV virus). It is recommend that everyone be tested for HIV once a year, more often if you participate in high risk behaviors such as sleeping with multiple partners or using injection drugs, then you should be tested every three to six months. HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. If you are pregnant and you are HIV positive it is possible for you to have a child that is not HIV positive, as long as you start on antiretroviral medications while you are pregnant.

In conclusion, you cannot test positive for AIDS without first testing positive for HIV, because HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, when your body’s immune system becomes damaged or suppressed due to the HIV virus, then the virus progresses into full-blown AIDS. Just a reminder, always know your HIV status, not only can it protect you but knowing will protect others you may be sexually active with. It is recommended that everyone be tested for HIV at least once a year, more often if you participate in high risk behaviors.
Jessie Snyder is a 39 year old college student at Full Sail University, web writer, and author of two books True Inspirations of the Heart (a book of poetry); and Sleeping With The Angels-A Story of Courage (her life story.) She hopes to get both books published within the next five years. She enjoys writing poetry, special interest and first person stories. Contact her at www.jessiesnyder.blogspot.com or follow her on Facebook, My Space OR Twitter. Also, at http://faithandinspriation.blogspot.com/
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