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Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ⓒ 2024 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved Health A-Z HIV/AIDS Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Living With Support & Coping Prevention Related Conditions Medically reviewed by Kimberly Brown, MD Updated on June 21, 2023 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When AIDS first appeared in 1981, most cases were fatal. Once it was determined that HIV was the cause of AIDS, researchers were able to develop testing and treatments. A protocol called antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps prevent HIV from replicating in the body. This effective treatment allows many people who test HIV-positive to live otherwise long and healthy lives. Understanding HIV and AIDS HIV by the Numbers: Facts and Statistics Is There a Difference Between HIV and AIDS? When Will We Have a Cure for HIV? How a Retrovirus or RNA Virus Works How Long Can I Live if I Get HIV? Transmission How Do You Get HIV? High vs. Low Risk Activities for HIV Transmission Can You Get HIV From a Tattoo or Body Piercing? The Facts About HIV and Oral Sex Can I Get HIV From Touching Blood or Body Fluids? What Is the Real Risk of HIV From Vaginal Sex? Can You Get HIV From Kissing? Can I Get HIV from a Needlestick Injury? What Is the Risk of HIV From Anal Sex? Why Gay Men Have n High Risk of HIV Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between HIV and AIDS? Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It has three distinct phases. The initial stage is marked by fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. In the second stage, the virus lays clinically dormant. The third stage is HIV/AIDS, with symptoms of recurring fever, persistent and extreme fatigue, chronic diarrhea, and neurological disorders. Learn More Signs and Symptoms of HIV Infection When does HIV become AIDS? Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the late stage of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Without treatment, it takes about 10 years for HIV to develop into AIDS. Fortunately, there are treatments available that work to stop the virus from replicating, preventing the infection from progressing to AIDS. Learn More Signs and Symptoms of HIV Infection How does HIV turn into AIDS? Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that destroys CD4 T-cells, blood cells that play a key role in the immune system. The virus progressively eliminates these cells, leaving the body less able to defend itself against opportunistic infections. This ultimately leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the fatal stage of HIV. Left untreated, HIV takes about 10 years to progress to AIDS. Learn More Cause and Risk Factors of HIV What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS? Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections have three distinct phases. In the initial stage, symptoms include fever, chills, diarrhea, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. The second stage has no symptoms. The third stage is progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS symptoms include recurring fever, persistent and extreme fatigue, chronic diarrhea, and neurological disorders. Learn More Signs and Symptoms of HIV Infection What is used to treat HIV/AIDS? Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), which suppresses the virus with the goal of reaching undetectable levels. The type of ART prescribed depends on the patient’s treatment history. HIV medications may be used in combination with medications for other chronic health conditions. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), which suppresses the virus with the goal of reaching undetectable levels. The type of ART prescribed depends on the patient’s treatment history. HIV medications may be used in combination with medications for other chronic health conditions. Learn More How HIV Is Treated How is HIV spread? Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is spread through contact with infected blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. This can occur during unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex, sharing needles, accidental blood exposure, or passed from mother to baby during pregnancy. It is not transmitted through sweat, tears, saliva, feces, or urine. Learn More Cause and Risk Factors of HIV How can I avoid contracting HIV? Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections can be prevented through abstinence, not sharing needles, limiting your number of sexual partners, and using condoms correctly every time you have sex. There are also prophylactic medicines that can help prevent infection if you have been or are at-risk for HIV infection. Learn More 8 Simple Steps to Prevent HIV Prevention 8 Simple Steps to Prevent HIV Preventing HIV With PrEP How Condoms Prevent HIV What Is PEP for HIV? Diagnosis What Tests Can Diagnose HIV? Which HIV Tests Are the Most Accurate? Rapid HIV Test: Accuracy, Procedures, Results Understanding Absolute CD4 Count and CD4 Percentage What Does It Mean to Be HIV-Positive? HIV and Your CBC Treatment Types of HIV Medications Classes of Antiretrovirals and How They Work How HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) Works The Complete List of Approved HIV Drugs What To Do If An HIV Treatment Fails Key Terms Antiretroviral CD4 Cells Immunodeficiency Life Cycle Retrovirus Antiretroviral An antiretroviral (ARV) is a type of medication used to prevent a retrovirus, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), from replicating. ARV therapy does not actively kill the virus. Instead, these drugs target different stages of the virus’ life cycle, preventing it from replicating. Antiretrovirals Overview CD4 Cells CD4 cells, also known as CD4 T lymphocyte and helper T cells, are a type of lymphocyte that helps coordinate the immune response by stimulating other immune cells. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks these cells, weakening the immune system. Understanding Absolute CD4 Count and CD4 Percentage Immunodeficiency Immunodeficiency is the inability to produce an adequate immune response due to an absence of antibodies, immune cells, or both. Immunodeficiency can be primary, meaning you are born with it, or secondary, which develops as a response to exposure to a disease like HIV or an accident or operation that damages the spleen. What It Means to Be Immunocompromised Life Cycle Life cycle refers to the seven steps HIV follows to reproduce:...