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{{AIDS Navbox}}

{{AIDS Navbox}}

'''Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome''' (usually referred to as '''AIDS''') is an (at present) incurable disease caused by long-term infection with the[[HIV|Human Immunodeficiency Virus]].   

'''Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome''' (usually referred to as '''AIDS''') is an (at present) incurable disease caused by long-term infection with the [[HIV|Human Immunodeficiency Virus]].   

In 2017, the ''Specialty Pharmacy Times'', "When combatting viruses such as [[HIV]], several enzymes in the immune system may malfunction and cause cancer-related mutations, according to a new study published by Nature Communications."<ref>[https://www.specialtypharmacytimes.com/news/fighting-hiv-other-viruses-could-trigger-cancer-mutations Fighting HIV, Other Viruses Could Trigger Cancer Mutations], ''Specialty Pharmacy Times'', 2017</ref>

In 2017, the ''Specialty Pharmacy Times'', "When combatting viruses such as [[HIV]], several enzymes in the immune system may malfunction and cause cancer-related mutations, according to a new study published by Nature Communications."<ref>[https://www.specialtypharmacytimes.com/news/fighting-hiv-other-viruses-could-trigger-cancer-mutations Fighting HIV, Other Viruses Could Trigger Cancer Mutations], ''Specialty Pharmacy Times'', 2017</ref>

*[[Cytomegalovirus]].  Virus can affect the entire body, but it commonly affects the eye's retina, causing blurry vision and in severe cases, blindness. Most likely to occur when a person's CD4+ T cell count falls below 100.

*[[Cytomegalovirus]].  Virus can affect the entire body, but it commonly affects the eye's retina, causing blurry vision and in severe cases, blindness. Most likely to occur when a person's CD4+ T cell count falls below 100.

*Epstein Barr virus (leads to a type of lymphoma).

*Epstein Barr virus (leads to a type of lymphoma).

*Human herpesvirus-8 (causes Kaposi's sarcoma). Results in reddish purple lesions that usually appear on the skin.  

*Human herpesvirus-8 (causes Kaposi's sarcoma). Results in reddish-purple lesions that usually appear on the skin.  

* Liver Disease. One of the leading causes of death among AIDS patients,  

* Liver Disease. One of the leading causes of death among AIDS patients,  

*Mycobacterium avium complex (atypical mycobacterium). Bacterial infection that can cause persistent fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, anemia, abdominal pain, dizziness, diarrhea and weakness. Most likely occurs when the CD4+T cell count falls below 50.

*Mycobacterium avium complex (atypical mycobacterium). Bacterial infection that can cause persistent fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, anemia, abdominal pain, dizziness, diarrhea and weakness. Most likely occurs when the CD4+T cell count falls below 50.

== Dissent ==

== Dissent ==

Among many medical professionals and biologists, there is general agreement that HIV causes AIDS.  In this, those of Koch's postulates that apply to viral diseases have been clearly fulfilled, and basic science research has shown the same.  Specific drugs have been developed that treat HIV infection and AIDS, helping show the causal relationship.  That being said, there is a vocal minority of people, scientists and non-scientists alike, who do not believe that HIV causes AIDS.  Foremost among these is Dr. Peter Duesberg.  Details about these "re-thinkers" and their arguments can be found at several websites,<ref>Peter Duesberg on AIDS - Duesberg.com - HIV/AIDS research website for Peter H. Duesberg http://www.duesberg.com/</ref> but not in any reliable peer-reviewed journals. This viewpoint has also received some official support from the government of [[South Africa]], where a nurtitional policy based on beetroot and garlic sources has found effective in combating the county's severe AIDS problem, despite a concerted effort by liberal scientific groups and the pharmacuetical industry (who would stand to benefit financially from continued association of AIDS with HIV) to discredit it. It is estimated that over $1 trillion has been siphoned off from health care worldwide for antiretroviral drugs to treat AIDS, despite growing evidence that a good general diet can be just as effective.

Among many medical professionals and biologists, there is general agreement that HIV causes AIDS.  In this, those of Koch's postulates that apply to viral diseases have been clearly fulfilled, and basic science research has shown the same.  Specific drugs have been developed that treat HIV infection and AIDS, helping show the causal relationship.  That being said, there is a vocal minority of people, scientists and non-scientists alike, who do not believe that HIV causes AIDS.  Foremost among these is Dr. Peter Duesberg.  Details about these "re-thinkers" and their arguments can be found at several websites,<ref>Peter Duesberg on AIDS - Duesberg.com - HIV/AIDS research website for Peter H. Duesberg http://www.duesberg.com/</ref> but not in any reliable peer-reviewed journals. This viewpoint has also received some official support from the government of [[South Africa]], where a nurtitional policy based on beetroot and garlic sources has found effective in combating the county's severe AIDS problem, despite a concerted effort by liberal scientific groups and the pharmaceutical industry (who would stand to benefit financially from continued association of AIDS with HIV) to discredit it. It is estimated that over $1 trillion has been siphoned off from health care worldwide for antiretroviral drugs to treat AIDS, despite growing evidence that a good general diet can be just as effective.

==Progress In Combating The Disease==

==Progress In Combating The Disease==

While there has been no announcement to the end of AIDS, it seems scientists have successfully treated a baby born with HIV. Further studies will be needed to see if the baby in fact has been successfully treated in the long term.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57572271/baby-born-with-aids-virus-appears-to-have-been-cured/</ref>

While there has been no announcement to the end of AIDS, it seems scientists have successfully treated a baby born with HIV. Further studies will be needed to see if the baby, in fact, has been successfully treated in the long term.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57572271/baby-born-with-aids-virus-appears-to-have-been-cured/</ref>

==Misconceptions==

==Misconceptions==