Question

AIDS is considered to be a syndrome because

• A. it attacks the immune system of our body
• B. it transmits through exchange of body fluids
• C. it manifests multiple symptoms
• D. it is a congenital disease

Answer 1

The correct option is C it manifests multiple symptoms

AIDS stands for Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the final stage of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. HIV infects and destroys helper T-lymphocytes and macrophages in the human body which weakens the immune system.

When considerably high numbers of helper T cells are damaged, the person starts catching opportunistic infections by microbes which otherwise could not cause serious harm to the body. This last and final step when the person suffers from opportunistic infections or rare cancers that the body is unable to cope with, is known as AIDS. Several opportunistic infections lead to the manifestation of a set of multiple symptoms like rapid loss of weight
recurring fever
chronic diarrhoea
persistent cough
prolonged swelling of lymph glands
soreness of the mouth, anus and genitals
memory loss
depression

This is the reason why AIDS is considered a syndrome (a group of symptoms).

AIDS is not a congenital disease as it is acquired by an individual during his lifetime. Congenital diseases are those that are present since birth.

HIV spreads through the exchange of body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, etc and hence, it is a communicable disease.