HIV 101: Does Being HIV-positive Mean I Also Have AIDS?

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No, but that's one of the most frequent assumtions people make.

Diane Anderson-Minshall

Diane Anderson-Minshall is the CEO of Pride Media, and editorial director of The Advocate, Out, and Plus magazine. She's the winner of numerous awards from GLAAD, the NLGJA, WPA, and was named to Folio's Top Women in Media list. She and her co-pilot of 30 years, transgender journalist Jacob Anderson-Minshall penned several books including Queerly Beloved: A Love Across Genders.

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Diane Anderson-Minshall

December 16 2016 6:48 AM EST

October 31 2024 6:56 AM EST

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Does having HIV mean you have AIDS? Absolutely not.

In the U.S., the majority of people living with HIV will never develop AIDS, the most advanced stage of HIV disease, which is also called HIV stage 3.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, but for most people, proper treatment and regular medical care to keep your immune system strong will prevent you from ever developing AIDS. Remember, an HIV-positive test result means only that: You have HIV.