What is AIDS

AIDS stands for Acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

What is HIV

HIV stands for Human immunodeficiency virus. HIV infects human immune system cells and destroys their protective function. A HIV infection causes immune deficiency. HIV virus may be found in body fluids (i.e. in blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk).

Main HIV infection symptoms

The AIDS symptoms of AIDS are primarily the result of conditions that do not normally develop in individuals with healthy immune systems, like infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. So-called opportunistic infections are common in people living with AIDS. People with AIDS also have an increased risk of developing various cancers (e.g. Kaposi's sarcoma, cervical cancer or lymphomas). People with AIDS often have general symptoms of infection like fevers, sweats, swollen glands, chills, weakness, and weight loss.