AEGiS-Miami Herald: Some Facts About AIDS

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1987. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Some Facts About AIDS

Miami Herald - Sunday, April 26, 1987
Herald Staff

AIDS: End stage of infection with human immunodeficiency virus. Characterized either by Kaposi's sarcoma or pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Secondary signals include infections such as thrush, encephalitis, meningitis, esophagitis and enterocolitis, or cancers such as Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. AIDS-RELATED COMPLEX: Diagnosed in patients suffering persistent inflammation of lymph nodes and impaired T-cell function who do not meet the definition of AIDS. At least two of the following symptoms must be present: lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), fever greater than 100 degrees for three months, weight loss greater than 10 percent, persistent diarrhea, fatigue and night sweats. Two of these following significant laboratory findings also must be present: anemia, abnormal decrease in blood platelets, elevated serum globulins, positive blood test for HIV antigens and a T-4 cell count lower than 400. HIV INFECTION: Diagnosis given people whose blood carries antigen to AIDS virus but who do not have the symptoms of AIDS or ARC. Represents about 90 percent of all people infected. These patients may suffer no ill health. Not known how many will progress to other stages.
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Copyright © 1987 - Miami Herald. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Miami Herald, Permissions, One Herald Plaza, Miami, FL 33132-1693 TEL: (305) 376-3719. http://www.herald.com.

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