Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Learning Center

AIDS is a frightening diagnosis - like cancer, it used to mean a death sentence. It is caused by a virus - human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but the full blown disease does not take hold until five to ten years after initial infection. Learn more about AIDS and HIV in the AIDS Learning Center's Causes section. There are many symptoms of AIDS - consult the AIDS Learning Center's Symptoms section for detailed information about them. The images in the AIDS Learning Center Multimedia Gallery provide visual aids to promote the understanding of symptoms and transmission.

See the AIDS Learning Center's Risk Factors section if you are concerned that you may have been exposed to the virus. Tests for HIV and the complications of AIDS will be done by your doctor or health provider, but the Learning Center provides in depth information to help you understand why the tests are being done and what the results might mean. While there is no cure for AIDS, treatments and drugs not only prolong life but improve the quality of life for the person infected with HIV. The AIDS Learning Center Multimedia Videos provide more in depth information about treatments and coping with HIV/AIDS.

The AIDS Learning Center provides information for people who are interested in exploring alternative therapies and supplements. Consult the Doctor Specialties section for more information about medical specialists who treat HIV/AIDS. Keep up with the latest findings about AIDS with the Learning Center's News section.

Learn about prevention of HIV and AIDS. Getting prompt medical care within 72 hours after you think you might have been exposed to HIV could save your life.