Testing:
How does one know if he or she has AIDS?

An HIV infection becomes AIDS when the immune system has been seriously ravaged. The CD4+ cell count in a person who has AIDS is less than 200. AIDS-related illnesses include serious weight loss, brain tumors, and other health problems. If the infection goes untreated, it can be fatal

AIDS manifests itself in different ways in every infected person. Some people die soon after becoming infected while others can live fairly normal lives for many years, even after the AIDS infection becomes "official". A few HIV-positive people can remain healthy for several years without even taking anti-HIV medications.

Reasons to be tested:

• If you know you are HIV-positive, you can take advantage of immune system monitoring and early treatment and intervention.
• By taking the test, you can find out whether or not you can infect others.
• Regardless of the result, testing often increases your commitment to overall good health habits.
• If you test negative, you may feel less anxious after testing.
• Women and their partners considering pregnancy can take advantage of treatments that potentially prevent transmission of HIV to the baby.