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Defininition of AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome(AIDS)

The most severe manifestation of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention point out a lot of opportunistic infections and neoplasms (cancers) which, when there is a HIV infection, constitute an AIDS diagnosis. Also, a CD4+ T-cell count below 200/mm3 in the presence of an HIV infection constitutes the AIDS diagnosis. The long period between infection with HIV and the onset of AIDS virus averages 10 years in the United States. People with AIDS often have infections of the


- lungs

- brain

- eyes and

- other organs


and frequently suffer weight loss, diarrhea and sometimes special types of cancer (called Kaposi's sarcoma).

Even with treatment handling, a lot of people with AIDS die within the first two years of developing infections or cancers that take the advantage of their weakened immune systems. See also CD4 (T4) or CD4+ Cells; Diarrhea; HIV Disease; Opportunistic Infection; Wasting Syndrome.		 
   
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