Knowledge center. AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a syndrome caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The illness alters the immune system, making people much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. This susceptibility worsens as the syndrome progresses. HIV can be transmitted in many ways, such as vaginal, oral sex, anal sex, blood transfusion, and contaminated hypodermic needles. Both the virus and the syndrome are often referred to together as HIV/AIDS. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. As a result, some will then develop AIDS. Back to Top Causes. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes HIV infection and AIDS. The virus attacks the immune system. As the immune system weakens, the body is vulnerable to life-threatening infections and cancers. Once a person has the virus, it stays inside the body for life.  Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Following initial infection, a person may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is defined in terms of either a CD4 + T cell count below 200 cells per µL or the occurrence of specific diseases in association with an HIV infection. In the absence of specific treatment, around half of people infected with HIV develop AIDS within ten years. Criminal transmission of HIV is the intentional or reckless infection of a person with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Some countries or jurisdictions, including some areas of the United States, have laws that criminalize HIV transmission or exposure. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is defined in terms of either a CD4 + T cell count below 200 cells per µL or the occurrence of specific diseases in association with an HIV infection. In the absence of specific treatment, around half of people infected with HIV develop AIDS within ten years. Cause. The HIV infection is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). After HIV is in the body, it starts to destroy CD4+ cells, which are white blood cells that help the body fight infection and disease.  1 Currently, HIV-1 is the predominant subtype that causes HIV/AIDS. 2  AIDS stands for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. 3  HIV causes AIDS and occurs when the virus has destroyed so much of the body's defenses that immune-cell counts fall to critical levels or certain life-threatening infections or cancers develop. In order to understand HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), it is important to understand the meanings behind these terms and the difference between them: 1  HIV stands for the human immunodeficiency virus. 2  It is one of a group of viruses known as retroviruses. Infectious Knowledge. AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is an infectious disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS is characterized by the appearance of opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, fungal infections, meningitis, and syphilis. Weight loss and wasting are also effects of AIDS. There is no cure for AIDS, but there are drugs that can treat the symptoms and infections that go along with the disease. As the AIDS epidemic grew unabated in the United States, numerous cases appeared in Europe, South America, and Africa. Today, someone diagnosed with HIV and treated before the disease is far advanced can have a nearly normal life expectancy. HIV affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. It is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV. That means that once you have HIV, you have it for life. No safe and effective cure currently exists, but scientists are working hard to find one, and remain hopeful. Recommend on Facebook Tweet ShareCompartir. HIV is a virus spread through body fluids that affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. When this happens, HIV infection leads to AIDS. It is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV. That means that once you have HIV, you have it for life. No safe and effective cure currently exists, but scientists are working hard to find one, and remain hopeful.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/17131.php http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/aids/overview.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS http://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/guide/human-immunodeficiency-virus-hiv-infection-cause http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hivaids/article_em.htm http://www.infoplease.com/cig/dangerous-diseases-epidemics/epidemic-pandemic.html http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatIshiv.html http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatIshiv.html
is aids a pandemic disease