The abbreviation AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome wherein the word Acquired signifies the possibility of the infection being communicable, Immune Deficiency indicates insufficiency in the immune system of the body whose role is to ward off infections attacking the body; and the word Syndrome personifies a set of health hazards associated with a disease.

AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV. Infection by HIV can be identified by symptoms such as fever, headache, sore muscles and joints, stomach ache, swollen lymph glands, or a skin rash. Some patients may experience no signs at all. The virus slowly proliferates and as a regular body mechanism, antibodies are produced to counteract the infection. A person’s blood sample showing the presence of such antibodies is categorized as HIV positive. However, once a person is declared HIV positive, it does not ascertain that he or she has AIDS. The condition of HIV positive takes some years to manifest itself into AIDS.

Once the body contracts the HIV, the immune system gets gradually hit by several opportunistic infections in the form of viral, parasitic, fungal and bacterial problems. Apart from such flu-like symptoms, the patient may feel otherwise normal for many years altogether. However, this is only on the outside. During these years of being HIV positive, the infection gradually breaks down the immunity of the body.

The extent of damage caused by HIV or the transformation of HIV into AIDS can be measured or identified by evaluating the number of CD4 cells in the body. These cells form a vital part of the immune system. Under normal conditions, anywhere between 500 and 1,500 CD4+ cells in milliliter of blood are present in the human body. With the onset of HIV infection, this number starts decreasing and finally a level of less than 200 CD4+ cell count denotes the transformation of HIV into AIDS. This further results in multiple diseases that include PCP (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia) that is an infection of the lungs; KS (Kaposi's sarcoma) or skin cancer; CMV (Cytomegalovirus), an infection affecting the eyes; Candida or infections in the throat or vagina and brain tumors. With treatment, many patients survive for a few years while without medical assistance prognosis of the disease is quite disheartening.

More Articles :

• Aids Statistics In America
• Aids World Statistics
• Facts About Aids
• Famous People Who Died Of Aids
• History Of Aids
• Hiv Aids And The Elderly
• Hiv And Aids Among Women Statistics
• How Can The Transmission Of Aids Be Prevented ?
• How Does Aids Kill A Person ?
• Warning Signs Of Hiv Aids
• What Does The Word Aids Stand For ?
• What Happens When You Get Aids ?
• What Is Hiv And Aids ?
• What Is The Cause Of Hiv And Aids ?
• What Is The Difference Between Hiv Aids ?
• When Did World Aids Day Start ?
• Where Did Aids Come From ?