Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the lethal end stage of a sexually transmitted disease caused by a virus that is producing the major epidemic of our century. In this article we describe the history and epidemiology of AIDS and the disease states associated with infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the apparent cause of AIDS. We review what is known about disease pathogenesis and present an overview of clinical management issues. In the absence of vaccine or therapy to prevent and eradicate this viral infection, we present formative educational approaches for its control.