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Do not fill this in! ===Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome=== [[File:Symptoms of AIDS.svg|thumb|upright=1.25|alt=A diagram of a human torso labeled with the most common symptoms of AIDS|Main symptoms of AIDS]] Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is defined as an HIV infection with either a CD4<SUP>+</SUP> T cell count below 200 cells per Β΅L or the occurrence of specific diseases associated with HIV infection.<ref name=M118/> In the absence of specific treatment, around half of people infected with HIV develop AIDS within ten years.<ref name=M118/> The most common initial conditions that alert to the presence of AIDS are [[pneumocystis pneumonia]] (40%), [[cachexia]] in the form of HIV wasting syndrome (20%), and [[esophageal candidiasis]].<ref name=M118/> Other common signs include recurrent [[respiratory tract infection]]s.<ref name=M118/> <!--Opportunistic infections --> [[Opportunistic infections]] may be caused by [[bacteria]], [[virus]]es, [[fungi]], and [[parasite]]s that are normally controlled by the immune system.<ref name=Holmes>{{cite journal |vauthors=Holmes CB, Losina E, Walensky RP, Yazdanpanah Y, Freedberg KA |title=Review of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-related opportunistic infections in sub-Saharan Africa |journal=[[Clinical Infectious Diseases]] |volume=36 |issue=5 |pages=652β62 |date=March 2003 |pmid=12594648 |doi=10.1086/367655|doi-access=free }}</ref> Which infections occur depends partly on what organisms are common in the person's environment.<ref name=M118/> These infections may affect nearly every [[biological system|organ system]].<ref name=Complications2011>{{cite journal |vauthors=Chu C, Selwyn PA |title=Complications of HIV infection: a systems-based approach |journal=American Family Physician |volume=83 |issue=4 |pages=395β406 |date=February 2011 |pmid=21322514}}</ref> <!--AIDS related cancers --> People with AIDS have an increased risk of developing various viral-induced cancers, including [[Kaposi's sarcoma]], [[Burkitt's lymphoma]], [[primary central nervous system lymphoma]], and [[cervical cancer]].<ref name=Deut2010/> Kaposi's sarcoma is the most common cancer, occurring in 10% to 20% of people with HIV.<ref name=M169>Mandell, Bennett, and Dolan (2010). Chapter 169.</ref> The second-most common cancer is lymphoma, which is the cause of death of nearly 16% of people with AIDS and is the initial sign of AIDS in 3% to 4%.<ref name=M169/> Both these cancers are associated with [[Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus|human herpesvirus 8]] (HHV-8).<ref name=M169/> Cervical cancer occurs more frequently in those with AIDS because of its association with [[human papillomavirus]] (HPV).<ref name=M169/> [[Conjunctiva|Conjunctival cancer]] (of the layer that lines the inner part of eyelids and the white part of the eye) is also more common in those with HIV.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Mittal R, Rath S, Vemuganti GK |title=Ocular surface squamous neoplasia β Review of etio-pathogenesis and an update on clinico-pathological diagnosis |journal=Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology |volume=27 |issue=3 |pages=177β86 |date=July 2013 |pmid=24227983 |pmc=3770226 |doi=10.1016/j.sjopt.2013.07.002}}</ref> <!--Systemic symptoms --> Additionally, people with AIDS frequently have systemic symptoms such as prolonged fevers, [[Night sweats|sweats]] (particularly at night), swollen lymph nodes, chills, weakness, and [[cachexia|unintended weight loss]].<ref>{{cite web |title=AIDS |url=https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000594.htm |website=MedlinePlus |access-date=June 14, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618135541/http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000594.htm |archive-date=June 18, 2012 }}</ref> Diarrhea is another common symptom, present in about 90% of people with AIDS.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Sestak K |title=Chronic diarrhea and AIDS: insights into studies with non-human primates |journal=Current HIV Research |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=199β205 |date=July 2005 |pmid=16022653 |doi=10.2174/1570162054368084}}</ref> They can also be affected by diverse psychiatric and neurological symptoms independent of opportunistic infections and cancers.<ref>{{cite book |title=Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice: Expert Consult β Online and Print, 6e (Bradley, Neurology in Clinical Practice e-dition 2v Set) |year=2012 |publisher=Elsevier/Saunders |location=Philadelphia |isbn=978-1-4377-0434-1 |vauthors=Murray ED, Buttner N, Price BH |volume=1 |edition=6th |page=101 |veditors=Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J |chapter=Depression and Psychosis in Neurological Practice}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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