Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

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A disease of the immune system caused by HIV. HIV destroys the CD4 T lymphocytes (CD4 cells) of the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to life-threatening infections and cancers. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. To be diagnosed with AIDS, a person with HIV must have an AIDS-defining condition or have a CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3 (regardless of whether the person has an AIDS-defining condition).

Related Term(s)
Acute HIV Infection
AIDS Case Definition
AIDS-Defining Condition
Chronic HIV Infection
HIV Progression
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Image(s): (Click to enlarge)
Graphic of HIV progression: before infection, acute HIV infection, chronic HIV infection, and AIDS.
Graphic of examples of several AIDS-defining conditions.

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