(CDC) HIV Infection and AIDS: Are You At Risk?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; January, 1998

What is AIDS?

While it's almost certain that you've heard quite a bit about AIDS in the past few years, the term HIV might be new to you.

HIV and AIDS are closely related, and if you understand HIV infection, you can better understand AIDS.

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a disease in which the body's immune system breaks down. Normally, the immune system fights off infections and certain other diseases. When the system fails, a person with AIDS can develop a variety of life-threatening illnesses.

NOTE: MMWR's are in Portable Document Format (PDF) to retain the original format. To view or print these documents, you must use the Adobe Acrobat viewer. Acrobat is free and available directly from Adobe's website with full installation instructions. Get Adobe Acrobat

For the full text, click here.
980101
FS980101

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeard in 1998. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

All material in the CDC Fact Sheet Series is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without special permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.CDC NAConline

This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1997. AEGIS.