What is AIDS?

AIDS is an advanced stage of infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is a retrovirus that attacks the body's defenses and impairs the ability to defend against diseases caused by other viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. The immune system includes several types of cells, including white blood cells responsible for fighting against external aggressors. HIV kills a particular cell type, CD4 cells that make up the immune system. What does the word AIDS?

The word AIDS is formed from the initials of the term "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome."

Syndrome: A set of signs and symptoms.

Immune mean on the system of defenses.

Deficiency: decrease.

Acquired: refers to non-congenital.

This means that AIDS has developed only when there is a set of signs and symptoms indicating that defenses are diminished because they caught the virus. It is possible to be infected with HIV, ie, being HIV positive or carrier of the virus and have not yet developed AIDS. From the moment the virus enters the body until symptoms appear may be a long time, between 10 and 12 years, which may be extended if treatment is started early. However, it is necessary to take into account that this is global average periods vary from country to country and modify substantially by the development of the epidemic in each place and with the development of treatments.