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Autoimmune Disease versus Acquired Immune Deficiency. In AID the immune system needs to be suppressed since it is attacking the body, while in AIDS the immune system (because of HIV) has been too compromised and weakened to defend itself against infections. One is not infectious (AID), while the other (AIDS) can be very contagious; both can be fatal. Other than close family and friends, who really cares much about a very rare illness which they cannot “catch”?
When explaining it is interesting how with AID the treatments usually involve attempts to weaken the person’s immune system (which is attacking the person’s body), while AIDS is an entirely different entity (with the immune system needing to be boosted since it is no longer able to defend the person’s body). The only thing in common, besides initials, is that both do involve the immune system.
Personally, I find it easiest to just say it is an autoimmune disease like Arthritis or Lupus. Since I have arthritic hands I can just put out my hand and say it is not a disease I can give anyone any more than I can actually give someone Arthritis. If people want more information, which is unusual, I usually just refer them to the website. Most people never look at it (and that includes doctors in specialties other than Immunology, Rheumatology or Dermatology). Those who do actually take the time to look at the website learn a lot very quickly.
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