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Infecciosas  Pediatric Glossary - Infectious Diseases    [back
to top]  Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) - a disease
caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which kills or
impairs cells of the immune system and progressively destroys
the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers. HIV
is most commonly spread in teens and adults by sexual contact
with an infected partner. HIV is most commonly spread in infants
and children by vertical transmission from an infected mother
while in the womb or during delivery.   Antibody (also called
immunoglobulin) - a protein that is manufactured by lymphocytes
to neutralize or destroy an antigen or foreign protein. Many
types of antibodies are protective against infection. Rarely,
antibodies are produced against tissues in the body resulting in
illness (autoimmune disease).     Asymptomatic - to be without
noticeable symptoms of dise