j----_. - New York Civil Liberties Union

Mahopac 310
1-800-541-AIDS, to provide yourself with the latest information
about AIDS.
( Teacher Vocabulary
('.'...-.
AIDS - The initials for the disease "Acquired Immune Deficiencv
Syndrome." A disease caused by a virus which breaks down th~
body's immune system, making it vulnerable to opportunistic infections
and cancer.
Antibodies - Substances in the blood produced by the bodv's Immune
system to fight against invading organisms'. .
Antigen - A substance that stimulates the production of antibodies,
ARC - AIDS Related Complex. A condition caused by HIV in which
the individual tests positive for HIV and has a specific set of clinical
symptoms that are often less severe than those of AIDS.
Asymptomatic - No apparent symptoms of illness even though the
individual tests positive for HIV.
Carrier - A person who harbors a specific infectious agent, in the
absence of clinical disease, and serves as a potential source of infection.
HIV - The Human Immunodeficiency VlrUS. It causes AIDS by attacking
the body's immune system, making infected people vulnerable
to fatal infections, cancer, and neurological disorders.
Immune system - A body system that helps fight off invading organisms
and disease.
Incubation period - The time interval between invasion by an infec-
'tiaus agent and appearance of the first sign or symptom of the
disease in question.
Kaposi's sarcoma - A cancer or tumor of the blood and/or lymphatic
vessel walls. It usually appears as blue-violet to brownisn
skin blotches or bumps.
Opportunistic infection - An infection caused by a mícrcorgarusrn
that rarely causes disease in persons with a normal immune s \ ~.
tem.
Pneumocystis earmil pneumonia - The most common Ilt\:.'-
threatening opportunistic infection diagnosed in AIDS patients
It is caused by a parasite. Pneumocystis carinií.
Syl""'" COIØI«tion
Val,"~ Integration
VI Diseases and Disorders - understanding diseases and disor
ders and taking actions to prevent or to limit their developrne n t
(pp. 28-29)
I
Reasoning/ability to understand the process of AIDS transmission
68