HIV and AIDS

Adapted from aidsinfo.nih.gov

HIV and AIDs are not interchangeable. Not everyone who has a diagnosis of HIV has AIDs. Medications and treatments have advanced that more people who have been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS have been surviving for longer than what was once expected in the 1980s. 

To put this in perspective, according to the CDC in 2015 an estimated 47% of people in the United States with diagnosed HIV were aged 50 and older. People are living longer as treatments have advanced. 

A famous NBA player living with HIV is Magic Johnson. Magic Johnson was born August 14th 1979 in Lansing, Michigan. He played for Michigan State in college and then later played for the LA Lakers in the NBA. In 1991 he was diagnosed with HIV. He has not been diagnosed with AIDS and credits a lot of this to his adherence to a combination of drugs that he takes daily.

It’s important to bring awareness of HIV and AIDs and to understand how important testing is. Treatment does exist (although there is no universal cure yet) and testing early is key. Prevention is also as important. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with HIV or AIDs it is important to work closely with your provider and to follow regimens closely. The CDC and AIDSinfo website are great resources with more information. 

National HIV Testing Day is June 27. Knowing your status lets you take charge of your health.