AIDS: Introduction AIDS is the acronym for the incurable disease acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is caused by an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Over time, HIV infection destroys the helper T cells of the body's immune system, resulting in a critical deterioration of the immune system and the ability of the body to fight infection. Advanced HIV infection is called AIDS. AIDS is frequently a sexually transmitted disease. HIV which causes ADIS is most often passed from one person another during sexual contact that involves vaginal, oral, or anal sex. HIV can also be passed to another person through other means, such as through contact with blood or body fluids. This can occur through such processes as blood transfusions or sharing needles contaminated with HIV. HIV can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Early infection with HIV often produces no symptoms. When there are symptoms, they can include flu-like symptoms that occur about four to eight weeks after infection. These symptoms generally go away within several weeks. There then may be no symptoms for months to years. Eventually a person with HIV infection develops serious, life-threatening complications. This is generally when a diagnosis of AIDS is made. For more details on complications and symptoms, refer to symptoms of AIDS. Any person that engages in sexual activity can contract and pass on the HIV infection, which causes AIDS. This includes heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual men and women. The more sexual partners a person has, the greater the risk of catching and passing on an HIV infection. Having another type of sexually transmitted disease, such as chlamydia, genital herpes, HPV or gonorrhea, also puts a person at greater risk for contracting an HIV infection and eventually developing AIDS. The diagnostic test for HIV is a blood test that can reveal the presence of the specific antibodies (infection-fighting substances) that the body makes in response to an HIV infection. However, HIV may not be detectable in the first one to three months after infection. A diagnosis of AIDS is generally made when HIV infection has resulted in serious complications and opportunistic infections are occurring. These can include Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, cytomegalovirus infections, Kaposi's sarcoma and tuberculosis. During or after a diagnosis of AIDS, a physician or licensed health care provider will take a medical and sexual history to determine general health and immune system status. A complete physical and pelvic examination for women and physical and examination of the penis and testicles for men is also done. Additional tests are done to test for the presence of other potential disorders and diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases. Because there are often no symptoms in the early stages, some people with AIDS may be unaware of an HIV infection, and a diagnosis can be missed or delayed. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of AIDS. AIDS is a highly preventable disease. Prevention of AIDS is best accomplished by abstaining from sexual activity or having sex only within a mutually monogamous relationship in which neither partner is infected with HIV. Latex condoms also provide some protection from HIV and AIDS when used properly. There currently is no cure for HIV infection and AIDS. However, prompt diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection can help to delay the onset of AIDS and serious complications, such as opportunistic infections, improve the quality of life, and minimize the spread of the disease to others. Treatment generally includes medications. Hospitalization may be necessary if a person has serious complications, such as meningitis or an opportunistic infection. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of AIDS. AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the result of an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS: A term given to HIV patients who have a low CD4 count (below 200) which means that they have low levels of a type of immune cell called T-cells. AIDS patients tend to develop opportunistic infections and cancers. Opportunistic infections are infections that would not normally affect a person with a healthy immune system. The HIV virus is a virus that attacks the body's immune system.