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National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention |
What is AIDS? 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?”.
Last Updated: December 15, 2003 |