Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging the immune system, HIV interferes with the body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease.

Overview

AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body's immune system is badly damaged because of the virus. In the U.S., most people with HIV do not develop AIDS because taking HIV medicine every day as prescribed stops the progression of the disease.

Causes

AIDS is caused by HIV, a virus that can be passed from person to person through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. It can also be transmitted from a mother to her baby during childbirth. The virus attacks the immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections.

Symptoms

The symptoms of AIDS can vary greatly from person to person. However, common symptoms can include rapid weight loss, recurring fever, extreme fatigue, prolonged swelling of the lymph glands, and more.

Diagnosis

AIDS is diagnosed through a series of HIV tests, which detect the presence of the virus in the body. These tests can include antibody screening tests, antigen/antibody tests, and nucleic acid tests (NATs).

Treatment

While there is no cure for AIDS, treatments can dramatically slow the progression of the disease. These treatments involve medicines that reduce the amount of virus in the body, known as antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Prevention

Prevention strategies include safe sex practices, needle exchange programs for drug users, and antiretroviral drugs for those at high risk of infection.

See also

• HIV/AIDS research
• HIV/AIDS in Africa
• HIV/AIDS denialism

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