英语沙龙：艾滋病小知识

ABC OF AIDS

AIDS is the abbreviation of ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME¹．It is a complicated illness that may involve several phases．it is caused by a virus that can be passed from person to person．AIDS impairs² the human body's immune system，the system responsible for keeping off disease，and leaves the victim easily affected³ by various infection．

The virus enters the bloodstream and destroys certain white blood cells，called T lymphocytes，which play a key role in the functioning of the immune system．The virus can also infect other types of cells in the body，including the immune－system cells knows as macrophages．Unlike T lymphocytes，however，macrophages are not killed by the virus．

Most people recently infected by the AIDS virus look and feel healthy．In some people the virus may remain inactive，and these people act as carriers，remaining apparently⁴ healthy but still able to infect others．After a few years，some people may develop AIDS－related complex，or ARC．Its symptoms may include fever，fatigue，weight loss，skin rashes，a fungal infection of the mouth known as thrush，lack of resistance to infection，and swollen⁵ lymph nodes．

AIDS is spread by direct infection of the bloodstream with body fluids that contain the AIDS virus，particular blood and semen from an HIV－infected person．The virus is usually spread through various forms of sexual intercourse，the transfusion⁶ of virus－infected blood，or the sharing of HIV－contaminated intravenous need les．

艾滋病小知识

AIDS（艾滋病）是Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome （获得性免疫缺损综合症）的缩写。它是一种复杂的疾病，分好几个阶段，由一种通过人体密切接触而传播的病毒引起。艾滋病损伤人体抵御疾病的免疫系统，使患者易于受到各种感染。

艾滋病病毒进入血液并损坏一种在免疫系统中起着关键作用的白细胞-T淋巴细胞。这种病毒也会感染人体的其他类型的细胞，包括免疫系统中的巨噬细胞。然而，不像T淋巴细胞，巨噬细胞不会被病毒杀死。

刚感染艾滋病病毒的大多数人看上去仍然健康，而且自我也感觉身体还好。在一些人身上，这种病毒可呈非活跃状态。但这些人是病毒的携带者，他们虽然自己健康，却能把病毒传染给别人。几年之后，有些人会得与艾滋病有关的综合症（ARC），其症状包括有发烧、疲劳、体重减轻、皮疹、蛾口疮（口腔真菌感染）、缺乏对感染的抵抗力以及淋巴肿瘤。

艾滋病是通过含有艾滋病病毒的体液，尤其是HIV（人类免疫缺损病毒）感染者的血液和精液，直接感染血液而传播的。通常，艾滋病的传播途径有性交、输入感染病毒的血液和使用被HIV污染的静脉注射针头等。 

1 syndrome   

n.综合病症；并存特性

参考例句：

• The Institute says that an unidentified virus is to blame for the syndrome. 该研究所表示,引起这种综合症的是一种尚未确认的病毒。
• Results indicated that 11 fetuses had Down syndrome. 结果表明有11个胎儿患有唐氏综合征。

2 impairs   

v.损害，削弱( impair的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Smoking impairs our health. 吸烟会损害我们的健康。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Almost anything that impairs liver function can cause hepatitis. 任何有损于肝功能的因素，几乎都会引起肝炎。 来自辞典例句

3 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

4 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

5 swollen   

adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀

参考例句：

• Her legs had got swollen from standing up all day.因为整天站着，她的双腿已经肿了。
• A mosquito had bitten her and her arm had swollen up.蚊子叮了她，她的手臂肿起来了。

6 transfusion   

n.输血，输液

参考例句：

• She soon came to her senses after a blood transfusion.输血后不久她就苏醒了。
• The doctor kept him alive by a blood transfusion.医生靠输血使他仍然活着。