Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS)
|
| Definition |
AIDS is a disease caused by the
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV causes a lowered immunity by
destroying the body's cells that help fight infection.
|
| Causes |
People get AIDS through sexual
activities, exposure to infected blood and by blood transfusions. A
mother can pass the infection to a developing baby (fetus) in the
womb (uterus).
|
| Treatment |
HIV is diagnosed by a blood test
that is very confidential. There are many treatments for HIV being
tested today. Some of the treatments include medication combinations
that have been shown to extend the life of HIV infected pateints.
|
| Comments |
People with AIDS often have
frequent infections that are hard to treat. While many people die of
AIDS every year, many are also living longer due to better
treatments.
|
| Related
Links |
National
Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health site with index of available
consumer information by numerous medical topics. See acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) topic.
National Library of Medicine
The National Library of Medicine provides consumer inforamtion and
pictures about HIV.
Centers for Disease
Control
Federal governmental agency, Center for Disease Control (CDC), site
contains extensive information and publication resources about HIV.
University of
California - San Francisco
University of California, San Francisco, Center for AIDS Preventions
Studies extensive site.
|
ICU Medical Conditions 
