Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) emerged in the mid-1970's. AIDS, considered as a major health threat, is a diseased caused by a virus that attacks various cells in the body, usually the cells in the immune system. When the virus attacks these cells, the immune system, which functions for the protection of the bod against infections, becomes weak, or deficient. (The name "acquired immune deficiency syndrome' actually describes the condition that results). When the immune system has been weakened, all sorts of diseases may easily take hold in our body, including diseases which are rare and incurable. Eventually, one or more of these diseases will kill the person with AIDS.
AIDS is a progressive disease. At first, people are infected with the virus but show no symptoms. However, they can spread the infection to others, usually through sexual intercourse. The virus acts slowly, and over time, ten years or more, the immune system become weakened. Various symptoms may appear that can last a long time and may be very serious. Finally, the disease progresses to true AIDS. This is the end stage which is characterized by certain life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia, and often nervous disorders and sever weight loss.
How AIDS Spread
The AIDS, being present only in the body fluids, can be spread only through an exchange of certain fluids, which means that it is difficult for most people to acquire AIDS. In fact, researchers identified only 4 ways of spreading AIDS: sexual transmission, an exchange of blood, passing of a mother to her child during pregnancy or breast feeding, and blood transfusions (when the blood was donated by AIDS carriers).
Through many researches by the scientists, many unreasonable fears were laid to rest. There is no need to avoid someone who has AIDS because you do not catch the disease by just touching or being in a same room with the person with AIDS. The virus is not spread by sneezing or through food, drinking glasses, toilet seats or swimming pools. It is not carried by dogs, cats, or other domestic animals. And there is no evidence that it can be spread by biting insects , such as mosquitoes.
You will not also catch AIDS by donating blood because the needles used in this procedure are new. The chance also of receiving a transfusion of infected blood are very low because, nowadays, the bloods that are donated are screened. Indeed, the virus may be present in the infected person's saliva, but scientists know no case in which AIDS is transmitted through kissing. Also, the risk of becoming infected in a health-care setting is extremely small.
The Search for the Cure
Great progress has been made in understanding AIDS. The virus that causes the disease was identified in 1983: it is called HIV or human immuno-deficiency virus. Scientists have developed blood tests to find out if people have been infected. This tests look for AIDS antibodies, substance that the body produces in an effort to fight the virus.
But researches are still a long way from finding a cure for AIDS. Drugs have been found to show the progress of the disease, but they are not a cure and can cause serious side effects. Nor is there yet a vaccine that will protect people from AIDS. Until one is found, the best defense lies in teaching people to avoid those behaviors that spread the disease.
AIDS is a progressive disease. At first, people are infected with the virus but show no symptoms. However, they can spread the infection to others, usually through sexual intercourse. The virus acts slowly, and over time, ten years or more, the immune system become weakened. Various symptoms may appear that can last a long time and may be very serious. Finally, the disease progresses to true AIDS. This is the end stage which is characterized by certain life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia, and often nervous disorders and sever weight loss.
How AIDS Spread
The AIDS, being present only in the body fluids, can be spread only through an exchange of certain fluids, which means that it is difficult for most people to acquire AIDS. In fact, researchers identified only 4 ways of spreading AIDS: sexual transmission, an exchange of blood, passing of a mother to her child during pregnancy or breast feeding, and blood transfusions (when the blood was donated by AIDS carriers).
Through many researches by the scientists, many unreasonable fears were laid to rest. There is no need to avoid someone who has AIDS because you do not catch the disease by just touching or being in a same room with the person with AIDS. The virus is not spread by sneezing or through food, drinking glasses, toilet seats or swimming pools. It is not carried by dogs, cats, or other domestic animals. And there is no evidence that it can be spread by biting insects , such as mosquitoes.
You will not also catch AIDS by donating blood because the needles used in this procedure are new. The chance also of receiving a transfusion of infected blood are very low because, nowadays, the bloods that are donated are screened. Indeed, the virus may be present in the infected person's saliva, but scientists know no case in which AIDS is transmitted through kissing. Also, the risk of becoming infected in a health-care setting is extremely small.
The Search for the Cure
Great progress has been made in understanding AIDS. The virus that causes the disease was identified in 1983: it is called HIV or human immuno-deficiency virus. Scientists have developed blood tests to find out if people have been infected. This tests look for AIDS antibodies, substance that the body produces in an effort to fight the virus.
But researches are still a long way from finding a cure for AIDS. Drugs have been found to show the progress of the disease, but they are not a cure and can cause serious side effects. Nor is there yet a vaccine that will protect people from AIDS. Until one is found, the best defense lies in teaching people to avoid those behaviors that spread the disease.
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