AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
It is possible that the main title of the report AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
- AIDS related complex
- AIDS Prodrome
- Wasting/Lymph Node Syndrome
- AIDS-Related Complex (ARC)
AIDS is an infectious disorder that suppresses the normal function of the immune system. It is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which destroys the body's ability to fight infections. Specific cells of the immune system that are responsible for the proper response to infections (T cells) are destroyed by this virus. Characteristically a person infected with HIV initially experiences no symptoms for a variable period of time. This may be followed by the development of persistent generalized swelling of the lymph nodes (AIDS-related lymphadenopathy). Eventually most patients infected with HIV experience a syndrome of symptoms that includes excessive fatigue, weight loss, and/or skin rashes.
The later stages of HIV infection are characterized by the progressive depression of T cells and repeated infections that can even occur during a course of antibiotic therapy for another infection (superinfections). People with AIDS are particularly vulnerable to "opportunistic infections" from bacteria that other people normally fight off. Pneumocystis carinii, which causes severe inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia), is a common infection that affects people with AIDS. Cancers (malignant neoplasms), and a wide variety of neurological abnormalities, most notably the AIDS dementia complex, may also occur. These neurological symptoms when of HIV, infects the nervous system.
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S.
90 John St.
New York, NY 10038
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research
120 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005-3908
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Office of Communications and Government Relations
6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC 6612
Bethesda, MD 20892-6612
American Social Health Association
P.O. Box 13827
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service
P.O. Box 6303
Rockville, MD 20849-6303
CDC Business Responds to AID/Labor Responds to AIDS
P.O. Box 6003
Rockville, MD 20849-6003
Health Information Network
P.O. Box 30762
7211 Greenwood Ave N.
Seattle, WA 98113
Hemophilia Federation of America
210 7th St. SE
Washington, DC 20003
P.O. Box 4780
Rockville, MD 20849-6303
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Center for Peripheral Neuropathy
University of Chicago
5841 South Maryland Ave, MC 2030
Chicago, IL 60637
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It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
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Last Updated: 8/8/2007
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