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A syndrome is a collection of recognizable features, behaviors, signs and symptoms (as reported by a patient) which frequently occur together and can be observed or detected collectively to identify a particular illness, genetic disorder or other medical condition.

In some cases a particular syndrome may have only one cause, such as Down syndrome. Others have multiple possible causes such as Parkinsonian Syndrome (often shortened to Parkinson's), or in many cases the cause may be unknown.

Some syndromes may have limited treatment options or are groups of symptoms and behaviors that may not be treatable or are still under investigation by medical professionals.

The most important distinction to realize is that a syndrome is not a cause of disease or even a disease in and of itself but rather it is the collection of side effects caused by something else.

For example AIDS (Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the collection of side effects which includes a weak immune system; however, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the actual disease which is contagious. People do not catch AIDS; they catch HIV which than causes the syndrome (or collection of symptoms) known as AIDS. It is a commonly made mistake to use the terms incorrectly. But from a technical standpoint HIV is the virus, and AIDS (which is a syndrome) is the list of side effects.

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12y ago

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