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AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, occurs when an individual's immune system is weakened by HIV to such an extent that the individual develops one or more of about 25 "opportunistic infections" (OIs), conditions that take advantage of a weakened immune system. When this happens, a person who is HIV positive is considered to have developed AIDS, or to have an "AIDS diagnosis". They are also considered to have an AIDS diagnosis when their CD4 cell count (a special type of white blood cells that fight infection) falls below a certain level and/or the amount of virus in their body rises above a certain level.

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 Get the Facts
1 What is HIV?
2 What is AIDS?
3 What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
4 How does someone get HIV?
5 How does someone know if they are infected with HIV?
6 Can you tell if someone has HIV or AIDS by looking at them?
7 Who is at risk for HIV?
8 Is there a cure or vaccine for HIV/AIDS?
9 Are there treatments and medicines for HIV/AIDS?
10 Is there a link between HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
11 What is the risk of HIV and other STD transmission from oral sex?
12 Can I get HIV from casual contact with someone who is infected?
13 How do I reduce my risk and protect myself from HIV?
14 What can I do to help in the fight to end HIV/AIDS?