什么是HIV

HIV 是一种通过某些体液传播的病毒，它攻击身体的免疫系统，特别是 CD4 细胞（通常称为 T 细胞）。随着时间的推移，HIV 会摧毁大量这些细胞，使得身体无法抵抗感染和疾病。这些特殊的细胞帮助免疫系统抵抗感染。如果不进行治疗，HIV 会减少体内 CD4 细胞（T 细胞）的数量。这种对免疫系统的损害使得身体越来越难以抵抗感染和其他疾病。机会性感染或癌症会利用免疫系统的严重虚弱，并表明此人已经患上了艾滋病（AIDS）。了解更多关于 HIV 的各个阶段以及如何判断自己是否感染了 HIV。

什么是 HIV？

HIV 是人类免疫缺陷病毒（Human Immunodeficiency Virus）的缩写。如果不进行治疗，HIV 会导致获得性免疫缺陷综合症（AIDS）。与其他一些病毒不同，人类的身体无法完全清除 HIV，即使接受治疗。因此，一旦感染 HIV，就终生携带该病毒。

HIV 攻击身体的免疫系统，特别是 CD4 细胞（T 细胞），这些细胞帮助免疫系统抵抗感染。如果不治疗，HIV 会减少体内 CD4 细胞（T 细胞）的数量，使得人更容易感染其他疾病或与感染相关的癌症。随着时间的推移，HIV 会摧毁大量这些细胞，使得身体无法抵抗感染和疾病。这些机会性感染或癌症会利用免疫系统的严重虚弱，表明此人已经患上艾滋病（AIDS），这是 HIV 感染的最后阶段。

目前尚无有效的治愈方法，但通过适当的医疗护理，HIV 可以得到控制。用于治疗 HIV 的药物叫做抗逆转录病毒治疗（ART）。如果按正确的方式、每天服用这种药物，可以显著延长许多 HIV 感染者的生命，使他们保持健康，并大大降低他们传播病毒给他人的机会。在 1990 年代中期抗逆转录病毒治疗（ART）推出之前，HIV 感染者可能在几年内就发展为艾滋病（AIDS）。今天，如果在疾病尚未严重进展时及时接受治疗，HIV 患者的预期寿命几乎与没有 HIV 的人相同。

HIV is a virus spread through certain body fluids that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, often called T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. These special cells help the immune system fight off infections. Untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body. This damage to the immune system makes it harder and harder for the body to fight off infections and some other diseases. Opportunistic infections or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal that the person has AIDS. Learn more about the stages of HIV and how to know whether you’re infected.

What is HIV?

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS if not treated. Unlike some other viruses, the human body can’t get rid of HIV completely, even with treatment. So once you get HIV, you have it for life.

HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. Untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body, making the person more likely to get other infections or infection-related cancers. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. These opportunistic infections or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal that the person has AIDS, the last stage of HIV infection.

No effective cure currently exists, but with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. The medicine used to treat HIV is called antiretroviral therapy or ART. If taken the right way, every day, this medicine can dramatically prolong the lives of many people infected with HIV, keep them healthy, and greatly lower their chance of infecting others. Before the introduction of ART in the mid-1990s, people with HIV could progress to AIDS in just a few years. Today, someone diagnosed with HIV and treated before the disease is far advanced can live nearly as long as someone who does not have HIV.