AIDS
Medical abbreviation · Infectious Disease
| Stands for | Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
AIDS stands for Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, an infectious disease abbreviation.
The most advanced stage of HIV infection, diagnosed when the CD4 count falls below 200 cells/mm3 or an AIDS-defining illness occurs, such as Pneumocystis pneumonia, Kaposi sarcoma or cryptococcal meningitis. With effective treatment, the immune system can recover and most people never reach this stage.
Example: Admitted with CD4 count 34 and Pneumocystis pneumonia, meeting criteria for AIDS; start TMP-SMX and plan ART within two weeks.
Usage notes
The CDC's report of June 5, 1981, describing Pneumocystis pneumonia in five previously healthy men in Los Angeles, is regarded as the start of the epidemic; the name AIDS was adopted in 1982. Written in capitals in American usage, while some British publications use "Aids". Annual AIDS-related deaths worldwide have fallen by more than half since their mid-2000s peak.
Related abbreviations
More infectious disease abbreviations
- ACIP – Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
- AMR – Antimicrobial resistance
- ARF – Acute rheumatic fever
- ART – Antiretroviral therapy
- ASP – Antimicrobial stewardship program
- BCG – Bacillus Calmette-Guérin
- BSI – Bloodstream infection
- C. diff – Clostridioides difficile
- CD4 – Cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4 T-cell count)
- CDI – Clostridioides difficile infection
- CMV – Cytomegalovirus
- COVID-19 – Coronavirus disease 2019
See all 92 infectious disease abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.