What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

Answer by  ktt (355)

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a condition. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. A person is contagious with HIV, not AIDS. HIV does not result in death but usually causes an infected person to develop AIDS which often results in mortality from an oppertunistic infection.

Answer by  juanita57 (1374)

HIV is the very beginning of AIDS. You can have HIV for years and live sorta a normal life. Just have to watch body fluids, from getting on anyone else. AIDS you get sicker and usually have to take lots more medicine.

Answer by  sonicfoundation (2597)

HIV is human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS is acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome. People with HIV can exhibit no symptoms of being ill but they can still spread the HIV virus. People with AIDS are noticably sick.

Answer by  Kam (88)

HIV leads to aids. HIV enters the body through mucous membranes or blood contact. AIDS is the final stage of the virus. HIV will begin to get you sick.

Answer by  CallerID (213)

The answer is "yes". HIV is a virus that you may have in your body, leading to a "positive" HIV test. Like other viruses one may have in the system, it needn't necessarily cause a disease to break out. If it does, however, it will cause AIDS.