MODEL RELEASED. AIDS man with psoriasis. Image 1 of 2. Man's face showing extensive scaly skin plaques due to psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It causes weakening of the immune system, making the patient susceptible to opportunistic infections and making normally harmless infections life threatening. This disorder has developed as an AIDS-related complex (ARC), a precursor to full AIDS. In Africa lack of access to drugs and information makes AIDS a major public health concern. See image M112/344 for post-treatment appearance.