Introduction

Guide for HIV+ people, their caregivers, counselors, family and friends. It suggests how HIV+ people can go on to live a full life and many have, by learning to accept and altering their lifestyles.

What is HIV?
Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It’s like any other virus that human beings are infected with like flu, SARS etc.

How come it is not as easy to cure HIV?
Its a highly intelligent virus and it’s so clever that it’s able to hide, mutate and replicate rapidly in our T-cells.

What is a T-cell?
A T-cell is a special kind of white blood cell, the more you have, the stronger your immune system is to fight infections.

Why is HIV attracted to T-cells?
HIV has a knob on the surface that is identical to the T-cell’s outer layer receptors. HIV uses this knob to attach itself to the T-cells and gain entry into the T-cells.

What happens in the T-cells once HIV has entered the human body?
HIV will start replicating inside the T-cells and make copies of itself. Once matured, it will exit the T-cells and attack more T-cells and the entire process repeats again.

What happens if this process continues?
As HIV continues to replicate it will destroy T-cells as well as other surrounding cells. The number of T-cells in your body will go down.

What is a CD4 cell count?
T-cells are also known as CD4 cells. Therefore a CD4 cell count is actually the count of T-cells in your body. The lower the CD4 cell count, the weaker your immune system gets.

What is the CD4 cell count for someone without HIV?
It’s normally between 500-1000.

What should I do if my CD4 cell count is lower than the normal level?
If you CD4 cell count is more than 300, you might still feel well without any symptoms. Continue to monitor your CD4 cell count with your doctor. If your CD4 cell count is lower than 200, you might need to start treatment. Talk to your doctor about this.

What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV causes AIDS. AIDS is the name given to the group of opportunistic illnesses that occur in HIV+ people as a result of a weakened immune system.

If I am HIV+, am I also an AIDS patient?
No. A HIV+ person is only an AIDS patient when a group of opportunistic illnesses/infections occur in them such as pneumocystis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, thrush and a number of skin disorders.

How long after living as a HIV+ person will I be in the AIDS stage?
There are no fixed answers to this as everyone is different. But with many HIV+ people now on treatment, the progression to AIDS can be delayed or avoided for years.

Are opportunistic illnesses treatable?
Yes, but they are often life threatening if not treated early.