AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a serious disease that has a devastating effect on the immune system of the body, leaving it completely unable to protect the body from various illnesses. The virus that is responsible for this condition is the HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, also called the AIDS virus. AIDS is actually the last stage in a series of deteriorating diseases that result from this viral infection. These diseases include numerous infections, debilitating conditions and cancers which cause excessive weight loss and also damage to the brain. There is no cure available for AIDS, neither is there a vaccine to prevent infection from the HIV virus. There are, however some medications available that can slow down the symptoms of the infection and can also suppress the HIV virus to some extent. This helps to restore the body's immunity and allows affected individuals to live a relatively normal life.
AIDS may be transmitted in three major ways. The most common means of transmission is through bodily fluids during sexual contact. Exposure to the mucus membranes of the vagina, rectum or mouth to bodily secretions such as semen, blood and vaginal secretions can result in transmission of the HIV virus. The virus may also be transmitted through blood or blood products which most commonly occur due to sharing of infected syringes. HIV can also spread from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy.
Prevention is the most important step in tackling AIDS. The best way to protect oneself from HIV infection is to abstain from having sexual relations outside of a relationship that is mutually faithful and in which both partners are not infected. The risk of contracting HIV may also be minimized by refraining from sexual contact with individuals that have symptoms of the disease or who can be classified in a high risk group for contracting AIDS. Sexual relations with those who have had multiple partners can also pose a very high risk of transmission of the infection. Any kind of contact such as genital, anal or oral, must be avoided with the partner's bodily secretions and a latex condom must be used during sexual intercourse. HIV can also very easily be transmitted from one individual to another during anal intercourse. The risk is even higher than that of vagina intercourse since the rectal lining is more prone to tearing. The resulting skin ruptures and bleeding can significantly increase the transmission of the HIV virus through bodily fluids.
Submitted by M H on March 5, 2010 at 01:41