What Is AIDS?
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the most serious stage of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection. It results from the destruction of the infected person’s immune system. Your immune system is your body’s defense system. Cells of your immune system fight off infection and other diseases. If your immune system does not work well, you are at risk for serious and life-threatening infections and cancers. HIV attacks and destroys the disease-fighting cells of the immune system, leaving the body with a weakened defense against infection and cancer.
AIDS is short for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The AIDS virus is called human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. The HIV virus can enter the body and infect cells which provide a natural immunity against certain diseases. As the HIV virus infects and kills these white blood cells, the body’s defense system breaks down. People with AIDS are more susceptible to certain forms of cancer, pneumonia and other unusual infections caused by germs which usually don’t harm anyone whose immune system is working normally. The AIDS virus is fragile and is easily destroyed by heat, mild household bleach, even soap and water. Although it does not survive very well outside the body, the AIDS virus can be deadly if it gets into your body.
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. An HIV-infected person receives a diagnosis of AIDS after developing one of the CDC-defined AIDS indicator illnesses. A positive HIV test does not mean that a person has AIDS. An HIV-positive person who has not had any serious illnesses also can receive an AIDS diagnosis on the basis of certain blood tests (CD4+ counts). A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using certain clinical criteria (e.g., AIDS indicator illnesses). A – Acquired: because it’s a condition one must acquire or get infected with; not something transmitted through the genes. I – Immune: because it affects the body’s immune system, the part of the body which usually works to fight off germs such as bacteria and viruses. D – Deficiency: because it makes the immune system deficient (makes it not work properly). S – Syndrome: because someone with AIDS may experience a wide range of different diseases and opportunistic infections. Infection with HIV can weaken the i
