HIV / AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is the disease that results from HIV infection and is characterized by a weakening of the immune system. It is called a “syndrome” because there are a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize AIDS. This can include the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person’s immune system. AIDS may take a number of years to develop in an HIV infected person, and the time from HIV infection to diagnosed AIDS has increased with the introduction of powerful anti-retroviral therapies.

HIV / AIDS is a dangerous sexually transmitted disease because there is no known cure and the progression from HIV, with few or no symptoms, to AIDS, with severe symptoms, is considered likely. While HIV may have few symptoms and may be controlled by anti-retroviral drugs, the complications of AIDS are often painful and can be fatal.

For more information about HIV/AIDS go to KDHE and National Institutes of Health Web sites.