ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROMES Meaning and
Definition
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a complex medical condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is characterized by a severe weakening of the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to a range of infections and illnesses. The term "acquired" indicates that the condition is not inherited but acquired during an individual's lifetime.
AIDS is considered a syndrome because it presents with a combination of different symptoms and medical conditions that are primarily the result of the severely compromised immune system. These symptoms can include recurrent infections, weight loss, fatigue, and various skin disorders.
HIV, the underlying virus responsible for AIDS, is transmitted through certain bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The virus primarily affects CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell crucial in fighting infections. HIV attacks and damages these cells, leading to a depletion of the body's immune response. Without effective treatment, the immune system becomes so severely compromised that individuals with AIDS are at risk of developing opportunistic infections and cancers that would not typically affect people with healthy immune systems.
The diagnosis of AIDS is typically made when an individual with HIV experiences severe immune suppression, often measured by a low CD4 cell count. The development of AIDS signifies an advanced stage of HIV infection and necessitates more aggressive medical intervention, including antiretroviral therapy (ART) to slow down the progression of the disease and prevent opportunistic infections.
Common Misspellings for ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROMES
- zcquired immunodeficiency syndromes
- scquired immunodeficiency syndromes
- wcquired immunodeficiency syndromes
- qcquired immunodeficiency syndromes
- axquired immunodeficiency syndromes
- avquired immunodeficiency syndromes
- afquired immunodeficiency syndromes
- adquired immunodeficiency syndromes
- ac1uired immunodeficiency syndromes
- ac2uired immunodeficiency syndromes
- acwuired immunodeficiency syndromes
- acauired immunodeficiency syndromes
- acqyired immunodeficiency syndromes
- acqhired immunodeficiency syndromes
- acqjired immunodeficiency syndromes
- acqiired immunodeficiency syndromes
- acq8ired immunodeficiency syndromes
- acq7ired immunodeficiency syndromes
- acquured immunodeficiency syndromes
- acqujred immunodeficiency syndromes
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