Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Chapter: 4
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) AIDS was the acronym used early in the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus, a retrovirus. Before the acronym of AIDS was invented, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) called the syndrome gay-related immune deficiency or GRID. This name was changed to AIDS after it became apparent that other groups besides male homosexuals were at risk. AIDS is still in popular use by the media, but the proper terminology should be HIV infection (the cause is known, so it's not really a syndrome anymore). The exact case definitions are detailed in the references below. I have also listed some prevention guidelines, and the address of the National AIDS Clearinghouse. References
- MMWR 41 (RR-17), 1992. Revised classification system for human immunodeficiency virus infection and expanded case surveillance definition for AIDS among adults and adolescents.
- MMWR 43(RR-12). Revised classification systems for human immunodeficiency virus in children less than 13 years of age.
- Ibid. Adobe Acrobat format.
- MMWR44 (RR-8), 1-34, 1995. Guidelines to the prevention of opportunistic infections in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus: A summary.
- Ibid. Adobe Acrobat format.
- CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse Gopher
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