How Is AIDS Caused

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U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

The Evidence That HIV Causes AIDS

Background The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first recognized in 1981 and has since become a major worldwide pandemic. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By leading to the destruction and/or functional impairment of cells of the immune system, notably CD4+ T cells, HIV progressively destroys the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers. An HIV-infected person is diagnosed with AIDS when his...

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Was AIDS the cause of death?

A friend of mine who had a CD4 count of 11 a year and a half ago when he finally started treatment just died at 42. He was compliant with all his medications. His VL was undetectable and his CD4 count had come up above 100. He had developed...

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

I don't have enough information to definitively answer the question. It sounds like a lot of nonspecific, but serious signs and symptoms, that could have resulted from multiple kinds of infections, malignancies, among other causes. Was an... Read more »

Can AIDS cause a stroke?

I am now 40 years old. I had a pretty major stroke two years ago. I was pretty out of it, and never asked the doctor what caused it. Can an AIDS diagnoses (CD4 Count of 12) be the cause of it? Or was it more likely caused by something else I was...

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

HIV itself as a cause of stroke would be unlikely. It is more likely that neurosyphilis played a role, as syphilis can affect blood vessels and could lead to stroke. Although you are on the young-ish side for stroke risk in general, smoking and meth... Read more »

can aids cause extremity pain my t cells are under 120 viral load over 100,000

my t-cells are under 120/viral load over 100,000 i'm experiencing severe extremity pain (muscles)and difficulty breathing yet level is 95-98 could this be aids related and if so what is it called?...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Pain as you describe can be HIV/AIDS related but other medical conditions can contribute as well. I advice seeing an HIV specialist for an evaluation and to consider starting HIV medications as well as addressing your severe symptoms. KH... Read more »

hiv/aids causing abdomen pain

Everyday/night I have sever abdomen pain that feels as if a semi is driving through me. Or something is twisting it uncontrollablly. The pain is almost unbearable. I wake up soaked in sweat, hungry but my stomach feels full, when I do eat, it gives...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

In the setting of HIV infection +/- treatment the differential diagnosis for severe recurrent abdominal pain is long and may involve HIV related or unrelated diseases. Common causes of recurren tabdominal pain include stomach ulcers, gallbladder... Read more »

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Way too scared now to test....AIDS leading cause

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

of death in San Francisco. The article is posted right on the main page of The Body. Read more »

HIV Causes AIDS -- And Knowing It Could Save Your

Posted by Anonymous

HIV Causes AIDS -- And Knowing It Could Save Your Life
By San Francisco AIDS Foundation

While the global HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to rage, a small number of fringe groups have been aggressively promoting misinformation about AIDS. Some claim that... Read more »