HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS (pronounced /ˌeɪtʃaɪˈviː/ /ˈeɪdz/), is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Following initial infection, a person may not notice any symptoms or may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. Typically, this is followed by a prolonged period with no symptoms. If the infection progresses, it interferes more with the immune system, increasing the risk of developing common infections such as tuberculosis, as well as other opportunistic infections, and tumors that rarely affect people who have working immune systems. These late symptoms of infection are referred to as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This stage is often also associated with weight loss.
Etymology
The term "HIV/AIDS" is a combination of two acronyms. "HIV" stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which is the virus that causes the condition. "AIDS" stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, which is the most advanced stage of the HIV infection.
Related Terms
- Antiretroviral therapy: Treatment that is used to slow the rate at which HIV multiplies in the body.
- CD4 Cells: A type of white blood cell that is specifically targeted and destroyed by HIV.
- Opportunistic infection: An infection that occurs more frequently or is more severe in people with weakened immune systems, such as those infected with HIV.
- Viral load: The amount of HIV in the blood.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis: A method of preventing HIV infection after a potential exposure.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on HIV/AIDS
- Wikipedia's article - HIV/AIDS
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski