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Essay Archive - AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is a recently recognized disease
entity. It is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),
which attacks selected cells in the immune system (see IMMUNITY) and produces
defects in function. These defects may not be apparent for years. They lead in
a relentless fashion, however, to a severe suppression of the immune system's
ability to resist harmful organisms. This leaves the body open to an invasion
by various infections, which are therefore called opportunistic diseases, and to
the development of unusual cancers. The virus also tends to reach certain brain
cells. This leads to....
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