How HIV Progresses to AIDS
People commonly talk as if there is the infection (HIV) and then there is the disease (AIDS). HIV actually has several stages. HIV can move through these stages slowly or quickly.
Studies of people who don’t receive treatment for HIV show that about half of HIV-infected people progress to AIDS within 10 years of being infected. Three out of four HIV-infected people progress to AIDS within 15 years of infection.
Children who are born with HIV and people who got HIV through a blood transfusion tend to get sick more quickly.
The stages of HIV tend to follow the pattern highlighted below, although actual times vary a great deal from one person to another:
Time After Infection |
Stage |
| 3 to 6 months |
HIV spreads within the body and becomes detectable when an HIV test is done. |
| 1 to 10 years |
A person is HIV, but healthy. |
| 3 to 10 years |
Minor symptoms may appear. |
| 8 to 12 years |
Symptoms of HIV or AIDS begin to appear. |
When HIV Becomes AIDS
AIDS is the last stage of HIV-infection. A doctor can make the diagnosis of HIV infection that has become AIDS. This diagnosis is based on guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control.
Since 1996, powerful virus-fighting drugs have been introduced that dramatically delay the progression of HIV to AIDS. Other new treatments and drugs are now being used to treat illnesses associated with AIDS.
Anti-retroviral therapy doesn’t cure AIDS, nor does it prevent the spread of HIV. Antiretrovirals do, however, extend life and improve the quality of life while living with HIV.
As HIV progresses, the immune system becomes weakened. The body isn’t able to defend itself against common bacteria and viruses that a healthy immune system can do easily. These are called opportunistic infections because they take advantage of the weakened immune system. If you are on antiretroviral therapy, you can go along time before developing opportunistic infections.
