Why do so many people confuse HIV with AIDS? Do you know the difference?

I just answered a question where someone stated their cousin was diagnosed with AIDS 20 years old and is still living. THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE. Please educate yourself if you don't know the difference. It is the difference between life and death.

HIV leads to AIDS the person can have AIDS just the it WILL kill them eventually (AIDS kills your immune system)

i know the difference.

Well it is not necessarily impossible. HIV is the virus that can cause AIDS, and with the new medications people are living with AIDS and HIV for longer and longer. What bothers me is the ignorance in the younger people that they don't need to use any protection because they only have sex with people they know. I work in a middle school, and kids today are very ignorant.

HIV is the first disease and if the virus changes it becomes AIDS which kills you, HIV doesn't exactly

HIV-- Human immune virus
AIDS-- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
HIV is the virus that leads to AIDS which is a uncureable disease. HIV leads to AIDS.

I do know the difference, I am HIV+ AIDS develops when your immune system is weakened to the point that it can't fight off infection. I is very unlikely someone would live with AIDS for 20 years, but with proper medication the virus can be suppressed to the point you may never develop AIDS. You can tell your friend that it is highly unlikely the person she is referring to has AIDS, more than likely has HIV the virus that can eventually lead to AIDS.

I am Hiv positive aand I know some people with Aids who have had it for ten years. I don't see anybody living with Aids for twentyyears because your immubnne system completely is broken down thus different aliments set in that causa death.