HIV and AIDS Defined

  AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is a disease in which the body's normal defense system which fights off disease and sickness is not working corrrectly. This deficiency makes a person very susceptible to pneumonia, TB and other infections that in a healthy person can be easily treated. In a person with AIDS, these infections are often times fatal. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is this virus that causes AIDS. A person can carry HIV and pass it on to others without having any noticeable symptoms. HIV becomes "full blown" AIDS when in a doctors opinion the infected person's immune system drops below a specific level of functionality. 

Transmission of HIV

  HIV is found in the fluids of the body, most importantly in blood, semen, and vaginal fluid. HIV is transmitted when the blood, semen, or vaginal fluid of an infected person comes in contact with the blood, semen, or vaginal fluid of an uninfected person. The most common ways that these contacts take place are as a result of sexual intercourse, the sharing of I.V. needles, the birthing process, or by receiving blood or blood products. It is important to note that in early 1985 blood banks began screening blood for HIV so this is normally not a risk for those receiving blood or blood products after 1985.

Prevention

  Obviously the best way to prevent being infected with HIV is to avoid the situations listed above that can expose you to the virus. Do not have unprotected sex, or don't have sex at all. Do not share I.V. needles and/or make sure that you clean your needles thoroughly between uses. If you are pregnant and know or suspect that you are infected with HIV, make sure you notify your physician immediately. There are ways to minimize risk to your unborn child. Lastly, get tested for HIV and insist that your partners get tested as well.