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Surviving AIDS
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AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; an immunological disorder that leaves the body susceptible to infection and some rare cancers; caused by the virus, HIV

antibody: a protein created by B-cells that binds to an antigen or prevents antigens from entering healthy cells

antigen: any substance that induces a response from the body's immune system; often a fragment of a virus or bacteria or some other substance that the body views as an invader

B cell: one of the many components of the body's immune system; a key player in the production of antibodies

body cell: any cell that the body and the immune system view as belonging to the body

complement: blood proteins that work with antibodies to destroy antigens

helper T cell: a type of white blood cell that initiates an immune response when presented with an antigen

HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus; the virus that causes AIDS

killer T cell: a type of white blood cell that seeks out and destroys cells that have already been invaded by a virus or some other substance

macrophage: a type of white blood cell that seeks out and consumes foreign substances; capable of presenting antigens on its surface to other cells of the immune system

mumps virus: one of many types of antigens that the body views as a foreign invader



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