hiv vs. aids
HIV & AIDS versus Cancer
Tara Thompson
Eng 11144
March 2, 2014
Millions of people all over the world have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or cancer, and in some cases, both. These two diseases are both very deadly and can cause other problems within a person’s body. HIV/AIDS and cancer are chronic diseases that affect the human body, although there are some advantages with HIV/AIDS compared to cancer. Even though there are treatments available for both of these diseases, unfortunately, a cure has yet to be found. HIV/AIDS is another name for Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV is the virus that ultimately leads to AIDS, and AIDS is the disease that causes death. They are not the same. People can live for years and years before getting AIDS. There are three main stages of HIV infection. These stages are acute infection, clinical latency, and AIDS. The acute infection usually follows the initial contraction of the HIV virus. Most individuals may experience flu-like symptoms. Other symptoms may include, but are not limited to, enlarged lymph nodes which may become tender, rash, and sores that may appear in the mouth or genital area. The next stage of HIV is clinical latency, which is also referred to as asymptomatic HIV or chronic HIV. It is unusual for a person to experience many symptoms during this stage, but at times an individual can experience periods of weight loss, GI problems, muscle pains, night sweats, etc. With proper treatment, this stage can last from approximately 3 to over 20 years. The last stage is AIDS. A person is diagnosed with AIDS once their T cell count or CD4 is below 200, or there are other diseases present associated with HIV infection. Pneumonia and recurring respiratory tract infections are usually the main signals to alert people to the possible presence of AIDS. During this stage the symptoms a person may experience tend to get worse as the disease progresses. HIV/AIDS attacks the
Tara Thompson
Eng 11144
March 2, 2014
Millions of people all over the world have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or cancer, and in some cases, both. These two diseases are both very deadly and can cause other problems within a person’s body. HIV/AIDS and cancer are chronic diseases that affect the human body, although there are some advantages with HIV/AIDS compared to cancer. Even though there are treatments available for both of these diseases, unfortunately, a cure has yet to be found. HIV/AIDS is another name for Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV is the virus that ultimately leads to AIDS, and AIDS is the disease that causes death. They are not the same. People can live for years and years before getting AIDS. There are three main stages of HIV infection. These stages are acute infection, clinical latency, and AIDS. The acute infection usually follows the initial contraction of the HIV virus. Most individuals may experience flu-like symptoms. Other symptoms may include, but are not limited to, enlarged lymph nodes which may become tender, rash, and sores that may appear in the mouth or genital area. The next stage of HIV is clinical latency, which is also referred to as asymptomatic HIV or chronic HIV. It is unusual for a person to experience many symptoms during this stage, but at times an individual can experience periods of weight loss, GI problems, muscle pains, night sweats, etc. With proper treatment, this stage can last from approximately 3 to over 20 years. The last stage is AIDS. A person is diagnosed with AIDS once their T cell count or CD4 is below 200, or there are other diseases present associated with HIV infection. Pneumonia and recurring respiratory tract infections are usually the main signals to alert people to the possible presence of AIDS. During this stage the symptoms a person may experience tend to get worse as the disease progresses. HIV/AIDS attacks the
Cited: "AIDS vs HIV." - Difference and Comparison. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2014. "Cancer vs. HIV / AIDS: A Comparative Overview." — American Massage Therapy Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Mar. 2014.