Human immunodeficiency virus is a virus that specifically attacks the immune

system. When contracting the virus it destroys or affects helper T cells of the immune

system, causing it to be weak. HIV can cause to immune system to become so weak that

it’s not able to fight off many infections and certain cancers. HIV eventually causes

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) if not treated properly.

The transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (or HIV) is through four

main fluids of the body. Blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk are all bodily

fluids possible of carrying HIV. This virus can be transmitted through sexual contact,

blood-to-blood, and also incidental reasons. Sexual contact is one of the highest reasons

of the transmission of HIV. All forms of unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, and oral) all have

high risks of contracting the disease when having intercourse with one who is infected.

There are many ways of contracting HIV through blood-to-blood contact. Some

of these reasons are through sharing needles or syringes, tattooing. Blood transfusions,

organ donations, and accidental needle sticks when working in the medical field.

Though many think that contraction of AIDS is only through sexual contact or

blood-to-blood, there are a few and rare incidental cases of people who have the disease.

Two of these cases is from mother to baby. When a mother is diagnosed with AIDS, there

is a high possibility that her child will also contract the disease. Though the contraction

isn’t necessarily guaranteed through birth, a mother can transmit the disease to her child

through breast feeding.

Even though there are many ways of spreading AIDS, there are many

misconceptions of some transmissions. AIDS and HIV can not be spread through any

type of casual contact. This includes: kissing, hugging, eating food prepared by one who
is infected, being sneezed on, or coughed on by someone who has AIDS/HIV. Also it can

not be spread through mosquito bites.

There are many symptoms of HIV. Some of these are similar to those of the flu.

This would include fatigue, fever, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck,

armpits, or groin. Also some may have night sweats, easy bruising, unexplained body

rashes, purple lesions on the skin or inside mouth, and chronic diarrhea.

Along with symptoms of HIV, there are also symptoms of AIDS itself. If one is

diagnosed with one of these diseases, it can lead to the diagnosis of AIDS. Some of these

diseases include: Pulmonary tuberculosis, Kaposi’s sarcoma, lymphoma, reoccurring

pneumonia, along with many other deadly diseases. A few of the more severe symptoms

are vision loss, nerve damage, and brain impairment. A change in behavior and mental

processing may change with the impairment of the brain.

When one who has HIV doesn’t receive treatment for HIV, they will expect to

develop AIDS within eight to ten years of being infected. Though HIV medications can

slow down the progression of AIDS, there is no known cure for the HIV infection. With a

combination of some medicines called highly active antiretroviral therapy, it can help to

prolong the life for most people with AIDS. With these medications, it can help to

prolong one’s life for many years, and stop them from developing AIDS.