Final answer:
AIDS is a late stage of HIV infection characterized by a severely damaged immune system and vulnerability to opportunistic diseases. It is transmitted through bodily fluids and targets helper T cells. While there is no cure, anti-HIV drugs have helped make the condition manageable.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, commonly known as AIDS, is a condition that results from the prolonged attack of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on the human immune system. HIV targets and destroys CD4+ T cells, which are crucial for a functional immune response. Over time, as the immune system becomes severely damaged, the body becomes susceptible to opportunistic infections and diseases, marking the advancement of AIDS. These infections take advantage of the weakened immune state and are often the direct causes of mortality in affected individuals.
Transmission of HIV can occur through various means, including sexual activity, blood transfusions, shared needles, and from mother to child. Once inside the host, the virus replicates by integrating its genetic material into the DNA of helper T cells, leading to a gradual decline in immune function. There is no cure for HIV, but the advent of anti-HIV drugs has transformed the disease into a manageable condition, significantly extending life expectancy and enhancing quality of life.
The emergence of AIDS emphasized the critical importance of a healthy immune system and spurred global efforts in HIV/AIDS research and public health initiatives, lessons that are still integral to current and future disease management strategies.