What is HIV? What is AIDS?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. This virus attacks the body’s immune system by destroying a type of white blood cell you need to fight disease. When an HIV infection has severely weakened your immune system to a certain point, you no longer are just infected with the virus, you have a condition called AIDS. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Researchers first identified HIV in the United States in 1981. Once considered a death sentence, new medications have enabled infected patients to live much longer and healthier lives. HIV is usually transmitted in 3 ways - by having sex with an infected person, by sharing needles or with an infected person, or by exposing a baby to HIV during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. Learn more about HIV and AIDS here or share your story or experience with icyou.