Aids : a serious disease caused by the HIV virus. Acquired (encountered during life) Immune deficiency (body defences are weakened) Syndrome (signs characterizing a disease)

 

HIV: The virus causing AIDS is called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV – VIH in French). HIV is transmitted trough sexual relations and blood, and from mother to child. It destroys T4 lymphocytes (immune system cells – the body’s natural defences against diseases).

 

Being HIV-negative : Having no HIV virus in the body.

Being HIV-positive : Someone becomes HIV-positive a few weeks after being infected by HIV. HIV Infection’s particularity is that it can stay invisible, not appearing for many years. Once contaminated, HIV-positive persons can transmit the virus while not showing any visible sign of the disease. The only way to know if someone is HIV-positive is to make an Aids test.

 

Tri-therapy : Three-drugs treatment. Treatment against Aids is often called tri-therapy because it usually involves three (sometimes more) anti-HIV drugs.