Many people still believe that HIV and AIDS are the same, but they are not. An HIV-positive person does not necessarily have AIDS, yet every individual with AIDS is HIV-positive. Understanding this difference is crucial, because it affects how we look at the illness, how early we seek treatment, and how well we can manage the condition. With timely diagnosis, proper treatment, and regular monitoring, people living with HIV can live long, healthy, and productive lives without ever developing AIDS. In this blog, we break down the myths, explain the difference, and highlight why awareness and early care are essential. 

HIV remains a major global public health issue. The World Health Organisation estimates that it has claimed 4 crore 41 lakh lives to date. Transmission is ongoing in all countries globally. According to government data, India has an estimated 25 lakh people living with HIV, and the country has the third-largest population of people living with HIV worldwide. However, India has made significant progress in combating HIV, with the adult HIV prevalence rate at 0.2% and new infections declining by 44% since 2010. 

 According to Dr Abid Amin Bhat (Unit Head, Medical Director & Senior Consultant - Internal Medicine, Ujala Cygnus Sanjiv Bansal Hospital, Karnal) AIDS is not the end. It is a call for compassion, awareness, and action.  There is no cure for HIV infection. However, with access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, including for opportunistic infections, HIV infection has become a manageable chronic health condition, enabling people living with HIV to lead long and healthy lives. An HIV-positive individual is someone who has tested positive for the virus. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when their CD4 cell count drops below 200 cells/mm³, or when they develop one or more AIDS-defining opportunistic infections. 

There are cells in our body known as CD4 cells which are immune cells that fight infections, HIV enters the body, replicates and attacks these cells and lowers their number and a low count means that there are not enough of them to fight infections, causing a threat to our lives.  

The major mode of transmission is unprotected heterosexual sex. Key efforts include providing free antiretroviral therapy (ART) and condoms, conducting mass awareness campaigns, and supporting vulnerable populations.

Symptoms of HIV 

If left untreated, AIDS can develop within an average of 7 to 10 years (though this can vary widely). Symptoms include severe fever, weight loss, chronic diarrhoea, neurological disease, and the presence of opportunistic infections and specific tumors. 

Primary HIV infection – This is the early acute phase or the 6 months period following infection. It starts as a nonspecific illness during which uncontrolled replication of the virus happens, and the patient is highly contagious, the first two weeks following infection are silent and there is no evidence of infection even on tests, following symptoms may occur- sore throat, fever, weight loss, mouth ulcers, tiredness and fatigue, rashes, diarrhoea, vomiting, and headache.  

Clinical stage1-                                   

There are minimal to no symptoms at this stage, however virus replication is ongoing in the body 

Clinical stage 2 

Unexplained weight loss 

Recurrent upper respiratory tract illnesses – like sinusitis, pharyngitis 

 Herpes infection 

Recurring oral ulcers 

Dermatitis or skin infections 

 Fungal nail infections 

 Clinical stage 3 

Unexplained severe weight loss 

Diarrhea for more than a month 

Fever for more than one month 

Oral fungal infections 

Oral hairy leukoplakia – your tongue gets coated with a white patch and hair that does not go away. 

Tuberculosis 

Severe bacterial infections 

Myths about AIDS  

AIDS spreads by close personal contact, kissing, hugging, sharing of utensils, household contact, swimming together and contact at schools, touching, and playing are myths only. These are not correct. HIV is not transmitted through saliva, but through blood and sexual fluid, so if the person has bleeding sores in the mouth, only then is there a risk of transmission.  

FAQ 

What causes AIDS? 

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV attacks and gradually destroys the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 (T-helper) cells, which are essential for fighting infections. 

A person develops AIDS when: 

The immune system becomes severely damaged, 

CD4 cell count drops below 200 cells/mm³, or 

They develop certain opportunistic infections or AIDS-defining illnesses such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, certain cancers, or severe fungal infections. 

Who is at risk of getting AIDS? 

In India, the major mode of its transmission is unprotected heterosexual sex. Mostly Sex workers, hemophilia and thalassemia patients, failure of practicing safe sex, drug abusers, and health care workers are at high risk of AIDS. Blood transfusion from an infected person, an individual who requires repeated blood transfusions, is also a high chance of being infected. Sharing needles and syringes is also caused by risk. Transmission from mother to baby is also very possible.  

Can children with HIV get vaccinated? 

Children with HIV cannot get certain vaccines like oral polio vaccine. Contact your paediatrician for more information on this, the reason these vaccines are dangerous is because in HIV, the immunity is lowered and the vaccine can cause the active disease as the immune system can not make adequate antibodies to fight it, this state is known as an immunosuppressed state.

Can I recover from HIV/AIDS? 

As of now, there is no cure for it but there are drugs that control the viral load and prevent progression of the disease and the complications, people go on to live with HIV for years.  

Can I get pregnant if I have HIV without transmitting it to the baby? 

 Yes, you can get pregnant if you are HIV positive, you just need to be regular with your medications, and baby needs to be delivered by C section and the baby will also need precautionary drugs after delivery.  

Can you breastfeed if, you are positive? 

It is recommended to not breastfeed if the mother is positive to prevent transmission form mother to baby, however if no other alternative is available, it can be done with precaution, as guided by your obstetrician and paediatrician, studies have shown that exclusive breastfeeding has lower rates of transmission as compared to breastfeeding along with additional feeding to the baby, please contact our doctors for further guidance.

How can transmission be prevented? 

Regular use of condoms not only prevents the transmission of HIV but also other sexually transmitted diseases. Do not share needles or syringes with anyone; this also reduces the risk of transmission of hepatitis which is a lot more contagious than HIV. Mother to child transmission can also be prevented by regular care during pregnancy and guidance from healthcare workers.

What happens when you get HIV? 

There are cells in our body known as CD4 cells which are immune cells that fight infections, HIV enters the body, replicates and attacks these cells and lowers their number and a low count means that there are not enough of them fight infections, causing a threat to our lives. The symptoms of HIV depend on the number of CD4 cells.

How do I get tested for HIV? 

An antigen/antibody test is done by a sample of blood. In India, there are integrated counseling and 

testing centers funded by NACO where testing and counseling is done. 

How is HIV managed? 

General measures- This involves a balanced diet, good hygiene, practicing safe sex to prevent infection to others, quit smoking and alcohol, get the required vaccinations. Counselling and education regarding the disease are also important aspects.

If you have any questions related to HIV infection and AIDS, you can consult a doctor at your nearest Ujala Cygnus Hospital or ask our health experts via email at askadoctor@ujalacygnus.com.