What does AIDS stand for?

Get ready for the Ontario Clinical Practice Exam. Study with multiple choice questions and learn with hints and explanations to prepare for your test!

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. This term describes a condition that results from the progressive damage to the immune system caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The term "Acquired" refers to the fact that the condition is not inherited but rather acquired during a person's life, typically through exposure to the virus. "Immunodeficiency" indicates that the immune system's ability to fight off infections and diseases is compromised. "Syndrome" signifies a collection of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality or condition.

In the context of the other options, they present terms that do not accurately reflect the condition associated with HIV. The term "Autoimmune Immunodeficiency Syndrome" incorrectly implies that the immune system is attacking itself, which is not the case in AIDS. "Aged Immunodeficiency Syndrome" suggests that this syndrome is exclusively related to aging, which is misleading since AIDS can affect individuals of any age who are exposed to HIV. "Acquired Infection Syndrome" fails to accurately describe the disease's immunocompromised state, focusing instead on the infection aspect without emphasizing the critical immunodeficiency that characterizes AIDS. Thus, "Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome" is the precise

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