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1. • CommentAuthorHelloItsJustMe
   • CommentTimeOct 25th 2009

    # 1Report Post
   Hello. This is a request. I've seen some people refer to their "AID's" in order to abbreviate 'autoimmune diseases' (or 'autoimmune disorders'). Please be aware that the abbreviation of AI's or ai's (or AI or ai for one disease/disorder) suffices. The last thing we need is to reinforce the misconception of the general public that 'autoimmune' disorders are AIDS or are related to AIDS. There is an umbrella term that I have read that covers all autoimmune disorders/diseases: that term is 'autoimmunity.' Therefore, AI's or ai's covers all autoimmune diseases as an abbreviation because it stands for 'autoimmunities.' And AI or ai is a perfectly fine abbreviation for a single autoimmune disease because an autoimmune disease is an autoimmunity. PLEASE take this into consideration if you are someone who has been using the abbreviation "AID's." And everyone please: if you see someone use the abbreviation "AID's," please gently make the same request of them that I made here. With already having to deal with an autoimmunity (and also having to deal with the general public being clueless about autoimmune diseases), the very last thing we need is people thinking that we're also contagious. I noticed that when I mention ANYTHING about something being wrong with someone's immune system, MOST people automatically think 'AIDS' as in 'Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.' I always find myself having to nip any rumors in the bud by explaining right away that the 2 things are completely different. PLEASE don't use the abbreviation AID's or AIDs. Use AI or ai for singular and AI's or ai's for plural.
   
   Also, I've been reading a book called 'The Autoimmune Epidemic' (copyright 2008 by Donna Jackson Nakazawa). I recommend it.
2. • CommentAuthorPatientEducator
   • CommentTimeOct 26th 2009 edited

    # 2Report Post
   The AARDA uses AD to abbreviate autoimmune disease, and the plural beings ADs. It has taken many years of persistent use to get the "i" out of the abbreviation and we would encourage everyone to use the abbreviation AD.
3. • CommentAuthorpablambert
   • CommentTimeOct 31st 2009

    # 3Report Post
   THank you for the heads-up. I will use AD and ADs in the future.