Introduction What is the difference between HIV infection and AIDS? Evaluating your health status Phase 1 - Primo-infection Phase 2 – Seropositive without symptoms Phase 3 – Seropositive with symptoms Phase 4 – AIDS Will I necessarily progress through all phases? What are CD4 cells? What is the viral load? When should I start medications to treat HIV (antiretrovirals)? How does anti-HIV treatment work? Why is it necessary to take several medications at the same time? What are the different types of antiretrovirals? How to choose the best combination of medications? How do I know if my treatment is working? Why are treatments unable to completely erradicate HIV from the body? What are the potential side-effects of antiretrovirals? Why is it sometimes necessary to change the medications in my triple therapy? What is medication resistance? What can I do to avoid resistance? Treatment adherence means: Can alternative or naturopathic/homeopathic therapies assist me in managing my HIV infection? Will I need to take medications for the rest of my life? What can I do to stay in good health? Condom breaks or tears? —Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) HIV and Depression HIV and Aging HIV and Neurocognitive Disorders KASA (Kaletra Adherance and Support Assistance)Program Links and References

While these two terms(HIV and AIDS) are often associated, and appear written together they do not mean the same thing, and actually reflect different stages of this infection.

HIV

HIV is the acronym given to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

A Virus : is an infectious agent – different from other infectious agents (of which there are many) that include bacteria, parasites, yeast infections etc.

Immunodeficiency: immuno refers to the immune system (the body’s defence mechanism) and deficiency refers to the state of weakened defence capacity. Immunodeficiency therefore refers to an impaired immune system.

Human: the word human is specified given that several infectious viral agents are active solely in animals, and others in humans.

HIV is a virus able to attack and weaken the human immune system.

AIDS

AIDS is the acronym given to the more advanced stage of an HIV infection : the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.

Syndrome : This word signifies a constellation of symptoms.

Immuno refers to the immune system (the body’s defence mechanism) and deficiency refers to the state of weakened defence capacity. Immunodeficiency therefore refers to an impaired immune system.

Acquired : in contrast to an illness which is genetic or hereditary.

AIDS refers to an HIV infection that, over time has progressed such that the immune system is weakened to the point of compromise. This results in a susceptibility to infections and complications that would normally be prevented by a healthy immune system. Secondarily, once several of these infections or symptoms begin to occur together – an individual is considered to have developed AIDS. A person with AIDS, is always infected with HIV, given that it is HIV (the virus) that causes the progression towards the state of AIDS. In contrast, just because you have HIV does not imply that you have AIDS (you are not likely in the advanced stages of infection).

Finally, with respect to the terminology of HIV, you can declare yourself to be seropositive or a person living with HIV. These common expressions are used by people with HIV, regardless of their stage of infection.

Research on HIV and aging in QC — 2013

Video - One Life

Aids/HIV & Work .pdf (french)

Your Health & You .pdf (french)

Live Better With HIV .pdf (french)

Fight against discrimination

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