What does AIDS mean in SYNDROMES

What Does AIDS Stand For?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is an infectious disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus targets cells in the immune system known as CD4+ T-cells or commonly referred to as ‘T-Helper Cells’ which are essential for fighting off infections and other diseases.

How Is AIDS Caused?:The most common cause of AIDS is through unprotected sexual contact with someone who already has HIV or a related infection. Other methods of transmission include sharing needles when injecting drugs or receiving an infected blood transfusion or organ transplantation from someone with HIV.

HIV Infection:HIV infection occurs when someone is exposed to certain bodily fluids such as semen, blood and vaginal secretions that contain HIV particles. During contact these particles could enter the body either through a mucous membrane - inside your rectum, vagina or mouth -or directly into your bloodstream through cuts and sores on your skin or infected needles used for drug use or medical treatments like tattooing and piercing. Once inside someone's body, HIV viruses attach themselves to certain kinds of white blood cells in your immune system called CD4 cells (also called T4 cells). These then become permanent viral reservoirs within the body which can not be easily cleared away by your own immune system like other more typical viral infections can be. As these HIV reservoirs accumulate over time they eventually overwhelm the body's natural defences leading to a weakened immune system state known as "syndrome".

Symptoms of AIDS:Most people don't experience any symptoms until their immune system becomes compromised due to advanced stages of HIV infection/AIDS has developed but common signs and symptoms associated with this condition can include fatigue, fever, weight loss, frequent illnesses involving opportunistic pathogens such as Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), yeast infections (candidiasis) , swollen lymph nodes and white patches in the mouth (oral thrush). As well as these physical indications patients may also suffer psychological distress including depression and anxiety related to their diagnosis.

Treatment:Drug therapy using antiretroviral agents has been very successful at extending life expectancy in people infected with HIV/AIDS A combination of different drugs are often prescribed depending on each individual’s current health status so each treatment plan needs careful consideration by medical experts . Further support such doctors visits nutritional counselling , mental health services etc.. May be needed in order cope optimally with living conditions associated with having aids . Vaccines are also being researched that may help protect individuals who have not yet been infected .