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The Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( Hiv )

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The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an immune system disorder that can be contracted through sexual activity as well as other types of contact. (Healthy Living, pg. 79) If left untreated this virus can turn into AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). AIDS is the final stage of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). (aids.gov) AIDS is an incurable progressive disease that causes gradual destruction of CD4 T cells by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). (Diseases, pg. 431) A healthy adult has a CD4 T cell count of 1,000 or more but a person suffering from HIV could have a count lower than 200. CD4 T cells are crucial to the immune system; without them the immune system would not have the ability to fight off infections. One of the disquieting facts about AIDS is that the infected person may be asymptomatic for years. If the infected person does begin to experience signs and symptoms, their initial complaints are usually fever, rigors, arthralgia (joint pain), myalgia (muscle pain), maculopapular rash, urticaria (hives), abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. (Diseases, pg. 432) Fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, night sweats, mental deterioration, persistent cough, visual disturbances, intestinal inflammation, thick, white crust covering the inside of the mouth, sores in the mouth, anus, or nose, and sometimes dyspnea are among symptoms that often come along with AIDS. (Understanding and Caring for Human Diseases, pg. 346-350) Although there is no known cure for

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