AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome)
DESCRIPTION
A disorder of the Immune System, AIDS is the result of Infection
by the HIV virus (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Carried
in blood and reproductive fluids, HIV can be transmitted
through sexual contact, blood transfusions, or use of an
infected hypodermic needle. Once inside the body, HIV lies
dormant for a 7 to 10 year period until the Immune System
has exhausted itself.
This process of AIDS has
three parts
1) Infection by the HIV retrovirus, followed by a 7-10 year
"lag" period.
2) AIDS-Related Complex (ARC), in which opportunistic Infections
(Candida, Diarrhoea, fever, etc.) often repeatedly occur due
to the weakened Immune System.
3) The final phase is often cancer, pneumonia and/or tuberculosis,
resulting in death.
The CDC (Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention) defines AIDS as a T-cell count of
less than 200. Once the Immune System becomes weakened, or
nearly ceases to function, the sufferer is susceptible to
any and every Infection. Although no cure has been found,
modern drugs can dramatically prolong the life of an AIDS
patient.
Due to the
serious nature of the condition it is better to visit a health
professional for personal advice on nutritional support.
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