critical thinking. explain the difference between hiv and aids

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What Is AIDS?

A chronic and potentially life-threatening disease caused by HIV infection

• When It's Diagnosed
• Defining Conditions
• Treatment and Outcomes
• Use of the Term

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. At this point, the virus has infected and killed so many immune cells that the immune system is severely impaired.

AIDS does not occur in everyone with HIV, but it can if HIV is left untreated. Without defenses to ward off disease, a person with AIDS can develop severe and potentially life-threatening infections.

This article takes a closer look at how HIV causes AIDS and the conditions and risks associated with this late stage of infection. It also explains how to avoid AIDS if you or a loved one are diagnosed with HIV.

Understanding HIV and AIDS

Hiv can cause aids.

HIV causes disease by targeting a type of white blood cell called a CD4 T cell . These are the cells responsible for activating the immune response, your body's defensive attack against things can cause it harm.

They also play a role in adaptive immunity , which is the body's targeted response to a specific invader, like HIV.

HIV is classified as a retrovirus , a rare type of virus that is able to insert its genetic material into the cells it infects. By doing so, the virus can "hijack" a cell's genetic machinery and turn it into an HIV-producing factory.

As HIV targets more CD4 T cells, the body becomes less able to mount an immune defense. When this happens, infections that the immune system would otherwise be able to control can cause disease. These are referred to as opportunistic infections.

HIV is a virus that attacks the CD4 T-cells, white blood cells that help your immune system fight off disease. As more of these cells are killed, the body becomes less able to defend itself against infection. Left untreated, HIV will progress to AIDS.

When Does HIV Turn Into AIDS?

The bulk of serious opportunistic infections occurs when the number of CD4 T cells drops below 200 cells per cubic millimeter (cells/mm3). By contrast, a normal CD4 count is between 500 and 1,200 (or higher).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a revised definition of AIDS in 2014 that largely remains intact today. According to the CDC, a person with HIV is diagnosed with AIDS when:

• Their CD4-T count drops below 200 cells/mm
• They develop any one of 27 opportunistic AIDS-defining conditions

AIDS is diagnosed either when a person's CD4 count drops below 200 or the person gets one of 27 different AIDS-defining conditions classified by the CDC.

List of AIDS-Defining Conditions

An AIDS-defining illness is one that is rarely seen outside of the context of advanced HIV infection.

The CDC lists 27 different AIDS-defining conditions in people with HIV:

How Treatment Impacts Life Expectancy

In the past, an AIDS diagnosis was considered by many to be a death sentence. With the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1996, that outlook changed. This form of combination therapy can fully suppress the virus and slow disease progression.

During the height of the epidemic in the United States, HIV was the eighth leading cause of death overall. By the mid-1990s, it accounted for 23% of deaths among men ages 25 to 44 and 11% of deaths among women of the same age group.

By 1995, the HIV mortality rate had peaked to its highest level ever, killing nearly 50,000 U.S. citizens and residents. With the introduction of HAART, now referred to simply as antiretroviral therapy , the death rate plummeted by more than 50% in three years.

People with HIV who are diagnosed and treated early can expect to live normal to near-normal life expectancies . Without treatment, people diagnosed with AIDS survive for an average of two years.

Even people clinically diagnosed with AIDS can benefit from antiretroviral treatment. With that said, the lower your CD4 count is at the start of therapy, the less likely you will be to achieve immune recovery.

Today, people with HIV are more likely to die of cancer than from infections. Even so, antiretroviral therapy can cut the risk of cancer and infections by half if started early (ideally before the CD4 count dips below 500).

Without treatment, people diagnosed with AIDS survive for an average of two years. By contrast, if HIV is diagnosed and treated early, people can live as long as those without HIV or close to it.

Use of the Term "AIDS"

Since the last revision of the list of AIDS-defining conditions was issued in 2008, the CDC definition of AIDS has remained largely unchanged. What has changed is how the definition is used.

In the past, the CDC's definition of AIDS was used to establish eligibility for Social Security disability and other forms of financial or medical assistance. Because an AIDS diagnosis was associated with a high risk of death, having a CD4 count of 200 was often enough to establish permanent disability.

The same criteria do not apply today. Because HIV is now considered a chronically managed condition (long-lasting, but able to be treated), people who meet the definition of AIDS need to undergo a case-by-case evaluation to determine if they are disabled under the terms of the law.

Healthcare providers are using the term "AIDS" less today—in part because the prognosis for many AIDS-related conditions has improved.

Furthermore, AIDS remains a highly stigmatized term, and, in its place, many healthcare providers and advocates prefer the term "advanced HIV infection" when describing the disease stage.

When the definition of AIDS was first issued, it was used in part to ensure that people who were nearing the end of their lives had access to Social Security disability. That concern no longer applies today given that people treated for HIV can live long, healthy lives.

AIDS Prevention

Antiretroviral therapy is the one intervention that can halt disease progression and reduce the risk of HIV-associated illnesses in people with HIV.

The medications used to treat HIV require that you take them consistently. For the majority of drugs used to treat the disease, this means taking one or more pills every day.

In 2021, a once-monthly injectable therapy called Cabenuva (cabotegravir + rilpivirine) was approved for use in the United States. It was later approved for every two-month dosing. The new form of treatment, which requires two separate injections every month or every two months, is able to suppress the virus as effectively as taking oral HIV drugs every day.

Of the roughly 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States, only 66% receive HIV-specific care and less than 60% have achieved complete viral suppression while on treatment. This leaves nearly a half million people vulnerable to otherwise avoidable illnesses.

If you have HIV, the only way to avoid getting AIDS is to start antiretroviral therapy. Most therapies are taken once daily, but a new injectable therapy called Cabenuva only requires two separate injections once per month or every other month.

AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. It occurs when the virus severely compromises the body's immune defenses, leaving the body vulnerable to an ever-widening range of potentially life-threatening infections.

AIDS is diagnosed either when a person's CD4 count drop below 200 or they get one of 27 different AIDS-defining conditions. AID-defining conditions are illnesses that rarely occur outside of people with AIDS.

If left untreated, people with AIDS will usually die within two years of their diagnosis. By contrast, people diagnosed and treated early for HIV can live a long, healthy lives.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Revised surveillance case definition for HIV infection--United States, 2014 . MMWR Recomm Rep . 2014;63(RR-03):1-10.

Naif HM. Pathogenesis of HIV infection . Infect Dis Rep. 2013;5(Suppl 1):e6. doi:10.4081/idr.2013.s1.e6

Justiz AA, Naik R. HIV-1 associated opportunistic infections . In: StatPearls [Internet].

Battistini Garcia SA, Guzman N. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome . In: StatPearls [Internet].

MedlinePlus. CD4 lymphocyte count .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Appendix A: AIDS-defining conditions . Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep MMWR.

Tseng A, Seet J, Phillips EJ. The evolution of three decades of antiretroviral therapy: challenges, triumphs and the promise of the future . Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2015;79(2):182-94. doi:10.1111/bcp.12403

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated: mortality attributable to HIV infection among persons aged 25-44 -- United States . Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep MMWR.

Brady MT, Oleske JM, Williams PL, et al.  Declines in mortality rates and changes in causes of death in HIV-1-infected children during the HAART era .  J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr . 2010;53(1):86-94. doi:10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181b9869f

Marcus JL, Chao CR, Leyden WA, et al.  Narrowing the gap in life expectancy between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected individuals with access to care .  J Acquir Immun Defic. 2016;73(1):39-46. doi:10.1097/QAI.0000000000001014

Poorlajal J, Hooshmand E, Mahjub H, Esmailnasab N, Jenabi E. Survival rate of AIDS disease and mortality in HIV-infected patients: a meta-analysis . Public Health . 2016;139:3-12. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2016.05.004

Darraj M, Shafer LA, Chan S, Kasper K, Keynan Y. Rapid CD4 decline prior to antiretroviral therapy predicts subsequent failure to reconstitute despite HIV viral suppression . J Infect Public Health . 2018;11(2):265-9. doi:10.1016/j.jiph.2017.08.001

Chao C, Leyden W, Xu L, et al. Exposure to antiretroviral therapy and risk of cancer in HIV-infected persons .  AIDS.  2012;26(17):2223-31. doi:10.1097/QAD.0b013e32835935b3

INSIGHT START Study Group, Lungren JD, Babiker AG, Gordin F, et al. Initiation of antiretroviral therapy in early asymptomatic HIV infection .  N Engl J Med . 2015;373(9):795-807. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1506816

Social Security Administration. Providing medical evidence for individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection .

POZ Magazine. Is it time for an end of 'AIDS' ?

GSKPro.com. Highlights of prescribing information: CABENUVA (cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension; rilpivirine extended-release injectable suspension) .

Food and Drug Administration.  FDA approves first extended-release, injectable drug regimen for adults living with HIV .

HIV.gov. What is the HIV care continuum ?

By Elizabeth Boskey, PhD Boskey has a doctorate in biophysics and master's degrees in public health and social work, with expertise in transgender and sexual health.

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What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

Often, the terms HIV and AIDS are used interchangeably, leading to confusion about their differences. Here, we’ll discuss the definition and differences of both terms.

HIV stands for ‘human immunodeficiency virus’. HIV belongs to a group of viruses called retroviruses. HIV attacks white blood cells within the immune system. These cells will stay infected for the rest of their lives. If untreated, HIV will develop into AIDS.

AIDS stands for ‘acquired immune deficiency syndrome’. (It’s sometimes referred to as ‘late stage HIV’ or ‘advanced HIV disease’.) It is an umbrella term for the illnesses that occur due to having untreated HIV infection for several years, by which point the immune system is severely damaged and unable to fight off infections. The illnesses and symptoms will vary for each person that has AIDS, but may include life-threatening infections and cancers.

Basic information on myths and facts

Every person who has AIDS has HIV, but not every person with HIV will develop AIDS. Because there are now lots of treatment options available for people living with HIV, far fewer people are developing AIDS. Often, those that do develop AIDS are people who have not been tested for HIV and have never taken treatment. Once started on HIV treatment, death due to AIDS can be prevented.

The only way to find out if you have HIV is to get tested for the virus. There is no test for AIDS as it is a collection of infections and illnesses that occur because of untreated HIV infection. Often, people can experience a range of them before HIV is discovered to be the cause. This is why AIDS is sometimes difficult to diagnose. 

Ultimately, HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system and AIDS is a term that can only be used when HIV has caused severe damage to the immune system.

• what is HIV?
• Mother To Infan
• HIV Transmission
• Warning Signs of HIV
• The Differences Between HIV And AIDS

Even though HIV is the virus that eventually mutates into AIDS, there are several differences associated with being infected with HIV and being infected with AIDS. It is possible for a person to have HIV, but never get to the point where they are carrying the AIDS virus. However, a person cannot have AIDS, without having already been infected with the HIV virus. HIV has five separate stages, with the last stage of the virus being AIDS.

The Window Stage

The window stage is actually a terrifying stage of the virus. During this time, a person that has become newly infected with the virus may not show any signs that they have it. The individual may not be ill at all, and may not test positive for the virus, if they are taking a screen. However, even though the individual does not know at this point that they are carrying the virus; it is possible to infect others. During this stage, the virus is extremely contagious.

The Seroconversion Stage

During the second stage of infection, which is known as the seroconversion stage, an individual that has the virus is still extremely infectious. During the second stage of the virus, an individual’s body will start producing antibodies to the virus. It is at this stage, that the virus can be detected on tests that are designed for diagnosis. Symptoms of the condition start to occur as well. Fever like symptoms such as rashes, fatigue, and fever will begin at this point.

The Asymptomatic Stage

It is during the third stage of the virus, where an individual may not show any signs that they are infected with the virus. During this time, they will not have an increase in the viral amount that is within their bodies. This is the period of the virus that can last up to ten years, and in some cases, longer. Individuals that have reached this stage of the virus are still not considered to be infected with the AIDS virus.

The Symptomatic Stage

Once the stage where no symptoms are present ends, an infected individual will then pass into the symptomatic stage. There are two categories within this stage. There is the early-stage and there is the mid-stage. The symptoms an individual gets are based upon the stage that they are in. The early or onset stage will enable an individual to showcase various symptoms such as excessive weight loss, rashes, and fatigue. These are the symptoms that are most common with the virus.

As the virus continues to compromise the immune symptom of the individual that it has infected, the infected individual will move into the next stage of the symptomatic stage. The next stage is known as mid-stage. The symptoms associated with being in this stage include: diarrhea, cold sores, significant amounts of weight loss, and oral thrush.

AIDS: The Final Stage

The final stage that a person who has HIV goes through is AIDS. A person with AIDs has a lower t-cell and CD4 count in their bodies. Individuals infected with AIDS will have counts that measure 200 or less. Their immune symptoms will be compromised which leaves them susceptible to a variety of diseases. Surprisingly enough, in most cases where an individual has AIDS, it is not AIDS that kills them; it is a symptom that they develop from the condition that takes their lives.

Key Differences

HIV is a virus, while AIDS is a syndrome. HIV replicates itself, and keeps itself centered on destroying the immune system. AIDS consists of a variety of medical issues, which include: lower CD4 an T-Cell counts, and a persistent amount of other infections. A person does not catch AIDS. AIDS is contracted when the HIV virus has reached its final state of infection.

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What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

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HIV and AIDS are frequently confused, and it's easily done, but they are two different diagnoses. However, they do go hand-in-hand. Thanks to advances in medicine, HIV and AIDS are no longer considered death sentences, but there is still great stigma and misinformation surrounding them. On World AIDS Day 2022, and every day, it's important we are clued up on the reality of HIV and AIDS, so we can support others and annihilate myths.

What is HIV and what is AIDS?

Dr Kenny Win-Leung Siu, who works at specialist HIV hospital Mildmay , defines both HIV and AIDS in a simplified, understandable way.

"Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that attacks a person's immune system . Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a state of untreated HIV. This is where a person's immune system is unable to fight off illnesses that a healthy immune system would have defended against."

HIV is most often contracted by having sex with a person who is HIV positive without using a condom . The virus does not spread simply like the common cold . HIV spreads via bodily fluids, such as semen, blood, vaginal fluids , menstrual blood and breast milk.

Does HIV always develop into AIDS?

Dr Win-Leung Siu explains how advances in medication, such as antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), now mean it is increasingly rare to develop AIDS despite having HIV.

He says that the portrayals of severely unwell patients with AIDS in movies from the 1980s are no longer reflective of reality. Even transmission rates of HIV have improved - in fact, there is no risk of transmission from a person having the right treatment.

The ' Undetectable=untransmittable ' campaign sought to raise awareness of this advance. The aim of effective treatment for HIV is to lower levels of HIV in a person's blood. Below a certain level (200 copies/ml of blood measured), the person has what is referred to as an undetectable viral load. At this level, research has shown that they cannot pass on the virus through sexual contact.

"Medical improvements have meant that HIV is now just like many other chronic illnesses. As long as you take your medicine and look after yourself, you can live a normal lifespan.

"The number of people with AIDS is continuously decreasing. In 2017, of the estimated 101,600 people with HIV in the UK, there were 428 AIDS-related deaths. However, it is estimated that 248 of these deaths could have been prevented with an earlier diagnosis. This remains a big issue in the UK. However, deaths from AIDS-related illnesses have vastly declined, likely thanks to improved rapid testing and treatment," explains Dr Win-Leung Siu.

It isn't just the UK seeing a drop in AIDS-related deaths - the death rate is also declining worldwide. In 2020, there were 37.7 million people globally living with HIV. Of this number, 680,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses.

How are HIV and AIDS similar and how are they different?

AIDs is a consequence of untreated HIV. This means that not all people with HIV have or will get AIDS. AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV.

HIV vs AIDS: the symptoms

A sign that you might have contracted HIV is feeling like you have the flu. The early signs of HIV include:

• Feeling tired constantly.
• Headaches .
• A higher temperature than normal.
• Rashes on the skin.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and groin area.

If you suspect you have HIV and you are showing the above symptoms, you should get tested.

Symptoms of AIDS These include:

• Rapid weight loss.
• Night sweats .
• Gaps in memory.
• Depression .
• Continued swelling in the lymph nodes.
• Unexplained tiredness.
• Diarrhoea that lasts for longer than a week.
• Sores around the mouth, genitals or anus.
• Pneumonia .
• Blotches on the skin, particularly on the eyelids, inside the mouth or nose.

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Dr Win-Leung Siu explains that history plays a large part in misconceptions and confusion surrounding HIV and AIDS.

"When they first appeared in significant numbers in the 1970s-80s, there was very little treatment. If you were diagnosed with HIV, it was probable you would develop, and perhaps die from, AIDS. This led to the belief that HIV was inevitably going to result in early death. I think it's key to point out that, as with many illnesses, doctors would recognise the illness before they discover the cause. In this case, they were aware of AIDS but not so much the virus HIV. So, during the early days of diagnosis, doctors would recognise the illness we now call AIDs first before making the connection to HIV."

The misconceptions around the conditions often prevent those concerned about their health from getting tested. As long as there is shame attached to being HIV positive, cases will go undetected for longer than necessary. While society has progressed, there needs to be more education surrounding living with HIV , so people understand that it can be managed on a daily basis . Myths are still very prevalent, suggesting that being diagnosed with HIV is a death sentence, but that isn't the case anymore.

How is HIV treated and what can happen if it goes untreated?

Unfortunately, there is still no absolute cure for HIV. However, medication is now available to suppress the virus to an extent where you can live a full life comparable with someone without HIV.

This medication can reduce or, as we've heard, completely eradicate your chances of spreading the virus.

Firstly, if you think you have been exposed to HIV, you can take post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medicine that can hugely reduce the chance of you becoming infected. This medication must be started within 72 of coming into contact with the virus and can be prescribed by A&E departments and sexual health clinics.

PEP involves taking HIV treatment every day for one month.

There is also PrEP , which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. If taken correctly, this daily pill can protect you from HIV. It's a combination of two drugs used to treat HIV and protects your negative HIV status. With this medication, you can have a far lower level of concern about a sexual partner being HIV positive.

PrEP only protects against HIV, not other STIs, so you still need to take other precautions. However, it is a good idea if you are HIV negative, want to have control of your sexual health and are having sexual encounters that put you at risk of being exposed to HIV.

If you are diagnosed with HIV after testing positive, you will be monitored with regular blood tests before starting the treatment process. Treatment can then be started at any point following diagnosis and you will be offered antiretroviral medicines to stop the virus reproducing in the body.

HIV can quickly become resistant to medication, so a combination of drugs is used to fight the infection. You might be able to get these drugs in a single pill, but might have to take four pills a day.

Many medications for HIV can be prescribed by your GP.

However, if you leave HIV untreated, you can develop AIDS and this may lead to death.

But how can a person's life change if HIV is treated?

"It would not be an exaggeration to say ARVs, the treatment for HIV, save lives," admits Dr Win-Leung Siu.

Some studies have suggested that, if a person is diagnosed with HIV early, starts medication promptly and is adherent to medication, there's a chance they can have a longer lifespan compared to other people in the same demographics without HIV. There can be many contributing factors to this, not solely medication.

Why is education around HIV and AIDS important?

Unfortunately, there is still great stigma attached to the conditions, which we need to remove.

Dr Win-Leung Siu says tackling this stigma will encourage people who are worried to get tested without feeling ashamed.

"The earlier we diagnose, the earlier we can treat and the less chance the condition will spread. This allows for patients to live the longest, healthiest lives possible."

Where can you get tested for HIV and seek emotional support?

You should consult your GP if you have concerns about your sexual health . You can also make an appointment at your local sexual health clinic to be tested for HIV.

Additionally, Dr Win-Leung Siu recommends contacting specific HIV organisations such as Terrence Higgins Trust and Positively UK for information and support regarding HIV and AIDS.

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Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions .

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HIV and Opportunistic Infections, Coinfections, and Conditions

Hiv and sexually transmitted diseases (stds).

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) , also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are infections that spread from person to person through sexual activity, including anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

Many health care providers use the term “infection” instead of “disease”, because a person with an infection may have no symptoms but still require treatment. When untreated, an STI can become a disease.

• HIV is a sexually transmitted infection, but it can progress to a disease called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) when HIV infection is untreated. Other examples of STDs are chlamydia ,  gonorrhea ,  human papillomavirus (HPV) infection , and  syphilis .

Having an STD can make it easier to get HIV. For example, an STD can cause a sore or a break in the skin, which can make it easier for HIV to enter the body. Having HIV and another STD may increase the risk of HIV transmission .

• To prevent STDs, including HIV, choose less risky sexual behaviors and use condoms correctly every time you have sex.

What is an STD?

STD stands for sexually transmitted disease , also called sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STDs are infections that spread from person to person through sexual activity, including anal, vaginal, or oral sex. STDs are caused by bacteria, parasites, and viruses.

HIV is a sexually transmitted infection, but it can progress to a disease called acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) when HIV infection is untreated with HIV medicines. Other examples of STDs are chlamydia , gonorrhea , human papillomavirus (HPV) infection , and syphilis .

What is the connection between HIV and other STDs?

Behaviors that put people at risk for HIV also increase their risk for other STDs. These behaviors include the following:

• Having sex without a condom .
• Having sex with many partners, especially anonymous partners.
• Having sex while using drugs or alcohol. Using drugs and alcohol can affect a person's judgement, which can lead to risky behaviors.

How can a person reduce the risk of getting an STD?

Sexual abstinence (never having vaginal, anal, or oral sex) is the only way to eliminate any chance of getting an STD. But if you are sexually active, you can take the following steps to lower your risk for STDs, including HIV.

Choose less risky sexual behaviors.

• Reduce the number of people you have sex with.
• Do not drink alcohol or use drugs before and during sex.

Use condoms correctly every time you have sex.

• Visit this website from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to learn how to use condoms correctly .

How can a person with HIV prevent passing HIV to others?

Take HIV medicines daily. Treatment with HIV medicines (called antiretroviral therapy or ART ) helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. One of the goals of ART is to reduce a person's viral load to an undetectable level. An undetectable viral load means that the level of HIV in the blood is too low to be detected by a viral load test . People with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative partner through sex.

If your viral load is not undetectable—or does not stay undetectable—you can still protect your partner from HIV by using condoms and choosing less risky sexual behaviors. Your partner can take medicine to prevent getting HIV, which is called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) . PrEP is an HIV prevention option for people who do not have HIV but who are at risk of getting HIV. PrEP involves taking a specific HIV medicine every day to reduce the risk of getting HIV through sex or injection drug use.

To learn more, read the HIVinfo Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) fact sheet.

What are the symptoms of STDs?

Symptoms of STDs may be different depending on the STD, and not everyone will experience the same STD symptoms. Examples of possible STD symptoms include painful urination (peeing), unusual discharge from the vagina or penis, and fever.

STDs may not always cause symptoms. Even if a person has no symptoms from an STD, it is still possible to pass the STD on to other people.

Talk to your health care provider about getting tested for STDs and ask your sex partner to do the same.

To find STD information and testing sites near you, call CDC-INFO at 1-800-232-4636 or visit CDC's GetTested webpage.

What is the treatment for STDs?

STDs caused by bacteria or parasites can be cured with medicine. There is no cure for STDs caused by viruses, but treatment can relieve or eliminate symptoms and help keep the STD under control. Treatment also reduces the risk of passing on the STD to a partner. For example, although there is no cure for HIV, HIV medicines can prevent HIV from advancing to AIDS and reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

Untreated STDs may lead to serious complications. For example, untreated gonorrhea in women can cause pelvic inflammatory disease , which may lead to infertility. Without treatment, HIV can gradually destroy the immune system and advance to AIDS.

This fact sheet is based on information from the following sources:

• Diseases & Related Conditions
• STDs and HIV – CDC Fact Sheet
• HIV and Substance Use in the United States
• HIV Prevention
• Protecting Others

From the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development:

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
• About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Also see the  HIV Source  collection of HIV links and resources.

• What Are HIV and AIDS?
• How Is HIV Transmitted?
• Who Is at Risk for HIV?
• Symptoms of HIV
• U.S. Statistics
• Impact on Racial and Ethnic Minorities
• Global Statistics
• HIV and AIDS Timeline
• In Memoriam
• Supporting Someone Living with HIV
• Standing Up to Stigma
• Getting Involved
• HIV Treatment as Prevention
• Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
• Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
• Preventing Sexual Transmission of HIV
• Alcohol and HIV Risk
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Resources - National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day 2024

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Wednesday, April 10 marks National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD). It has been commemorated annually since 2013 and is directed by Advocates for Youth Exit Disclaimer , an organization that partners with young people and their adult allies to promote effective adolescent reproductive and sexual health programs and policies. NYHAAD is a day to educate and urge policymakers and the public to act regarding the impact of HIV on young people, as well as highlight the HIV prevention, treatment, and care campaigns for this community.

According to the CDC, youth between the ages of  13 to 24 made up 19% of all new HIV diagnoses  in the United States in 2021. The CDC also reports that they are the least likely of any age group to be aware of their HIV infection. Thus, it is key for youth to have access to and receive HIV education, prevention, and testing, as, per the CDC, in 2021 only 6% of high school students have ever been tested for HIV (PDF, 9.88MB). NYHAAD is a crucial part of ongoing efforts to end the HIV epidemic and provides the opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of HIV and AIDS on youth and share important resources that can help combat the HIV epidemic. Please use the resources below to support the ongoing efforts to reduce HIV and AIDS in this community.

Get Involved with NYHAAD

From April 5-11, Advocates for Youth invites the public to take part in  a series of events and activities Exit Disclaimer  in the lead-up to NYHAAD. Check out their  social media toolkit and other resources Exit Disclaimer  to participate.

Share these  social media posts , available in English and Spanish, to help spark conversations about HIV prevention methods to reduce HIV among youth. Be sure to include #StopHIVTogether and #NYHAAD in your posts to amplify your messages!

Read more  about the impact of HIV and AIDS on young people.  Fact sheets  for youth and other individuals, parents, healthcare providers, and education agencies are also available.

CDC’s School Mental Health Action Guide

CDC recently released a mental health action guide for school and district leaders to help them support student and staff mental health. The action guide is a direct response to recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey findings, which show that adolescent mental health has been worsening for more than a decade and that key indicators of poor mental health have reached alarming levels. The action guide can help schools build on what they are already doing to promote students’ mental health and find new strategies to fill in gaps. Explore the action guide and new tools designed to put the guide into practice.

Connecting Conversations: Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Connecting with teens can reduce their risk for poor mental health and other health risks. Find tips for starting the conversation and making it a normal part of your family’s daily activities.

Mental Health Matters

Protecting youth health means protecting youth mental health. Building strong bonds at school, at home, and in the community provides youth with a sense of connectedness—a powerful tool for supporting their mental health. Learn more about youth mental health and the power of connectedness .

To learn more about HIV and awareness days, subscribe to our blog  and search for NYHAAD and other awareness days. Together, we can help young people stay healthy by encouraging HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care.

Related HIV.gov Blogs

• Testing HIV Testing
• Youth Awareness Day National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day