Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is the life-threatening stage of HIV disease, also called Advanced HIV Disease. It is a medical diagnosis for someone whose immune system is so damaged that certain diseases (opportunistic infections) or cancers can develop. It is identified as such because:

A - Acquired; it is an acquired condition or infection, not something transmitted or inherited through the genes.

I - Immune; it affects the body's immune system, that part of the body which is responsible for protecting the body from germs such as bacteria, fungi and viruses.

D - Deficiency; it makes the immune system deficient (does not work properly).

S - Syndrome; someone with AIDS may experience a wide range of different diseases and opportunistic infections.

What causes AIDS?

Answer: HIV is the virus that most researchers believe causes AIDS. However, some scientists remain unconvinced that HIV causes AIDS. These scientists believe that HIV can cause AIDS only in the presence of a cofactor, some other virus or condition which has not been found yet.

How long does it take for HIV to cause AIDS?

Answer: Scientists have estimated that about half the people with HIV develop AIDS within 10 years after becoming infected. The time that it takes for each individual person to go through the stages/spectrum of the disease varies greatly from person to person and can depend on many factors, including a person's health status and their health-related behaviors.

These estimates were developed before powerful anti HIV drugs were developed. However, it is now known that early detection and early treatment tend to delay the onset of AIDS.

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome. This viral disease is first reported in the U.S in 1981. And since its first recognition, it is now considered as the worst recorded pandemic that had struck the human kind.

AIDS is known to be caused by Human Immunodeficiency virus or HIV. The HIV virus damages the body�s immune system, which is responsible to fight infections. When the HIV becomes progressive, it leads to AIDS, the last chronic stage of HIV.

In the stage of AIDS, the body immune system is weaker thus making it vulnerable to other forms of diseases like tuberculosis and other forms of cancers which are not likely for healthy people.

Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS is the worst pandemic that had struck the modern world. This viral disease is first reported in the United States in 1981. And since its recognition, million lives were claimed by this viral disease.

AIDS is cause by HIV or Human Immunodeficiency virus. The HIV virus affects the body�s immune system, which is used to ward off infections. When HIV virus progresses it will then leads to the last dreaded stage, which is AIDS.

When HIV progresses to AIDS, the immune system of the body becomes weaker and it makes susceptible to other forms of disease like tuberculosis and other forms of cancers which are not likely to affect other healthy individuals.

Understanding What is AIDS Recommended Resources:

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