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En Español
AIDS
stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome.
Acquired –
means that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth
from contact with a disease causing agent (in this case, HIV).
Immunodeficiency – means that the disease is characterized by a
weakening of the immune system.
Syndrome –
refers to a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or
characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS this can include the
development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a
decrease in the number of certain cells in a person’s immune system.
A diagnosis of
AIDS is made by a physician using specific clinical or laboratory
standards.
For more information see “What Causes AIDS?” and “What is HIV?”.
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