If you are having any symptoms or have any questions, please call 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day.

OVERVIEW

What is AIDS?

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a life-threatening condition caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The virus makes your body weak and unable to fight off infections. It does this by attacking your body’s immune system, killing CD4 cells (also called T cells). Left untreated, HIV can kill so many CD4 cells that your body can no longer fight off infections. When this happens, it is considered AIDS.

It is important to note that treatment options have come a long way for HIV/AIDS, making it more of a chronic disease than a fatal one.

SYMPTOMS

AIDS symptoms are triggered by the body’s weakened immune system. This means that if you have AIDS, your body can’t fight off infections and other conditions. People who have AIDS are at high risk of getting opportunistic infections. These infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. They can affect any part of the body. AIDS also puts you at higher risk for certain cancers, especially lymphomas, skin cancer, and cervical cancer, according to the National Institutes of Health.

AIDS symptoms will vary, but may include:

• Lung infections (cough, fever, and shortness of breath)
• Intestinal infections (diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting)
• Extreme tiredness
• Swollen lymph glands
• Mouth sores
• Fever
• Sweats
• Rashes or skin lesions
• Weight loss

CAUSES

What causes AIDS?

AIDS is caused by the HIV virus. The virus is spread from person to person several ways. You can get HIV by having sexual contact with a person who has HIV. You can also get it if you share a needle with someone who has HIV. Pregnant mothers who have HIV may pass it to their babies during pregnancy, childbirth, or while breastfeeding.

DIAGNOSIS

How is AIDS diagnosed?

When you have HIV, your healthcare provider will monitor your CD4 count by ordering a blood test. A healthy CD4 count ranges from 500 to 1,500 CD4 cells. The lower your CD4 count, the less your body can fight infection. If your CD4 count drops below 200, your healthcare provider may diagnose you with AIDS. Many times, you will also already have an infection or pneumonia due to the low number of CD4 cells.

PREVENTION

Can AIDS be prevented or avoided?

You can prevent AIDS by preventing HIV. The best way to prevent HIV is to not have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a person who has HIV, or share a needle with a person who has HIV.

Other ways to prevent HIV include:

• Use a condom when you have sex. The best condom is a male latex condom. A female condom isn’t as effective but does offer some protection.
• Don’t share needles and syringes.

TREATMENT

Even though there is no cure for HIV, there are many medicines available to help combat it. These medicines (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) will often prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS. Even when HIV does progress to AIDS, ART is often still effective. However, it’s most effective the earlier you begin treatment.

One newer medicine is aimed at preventing HIV altogether and is worth mentioning here. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medicine for people who are at high risk of contracting HIV from sex or drug use.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/hiv-aids.html