AIDS

AIDS

What it means?

It means syndrome of acquired immunodeficiency

Syndrome: It characterize the illness

Immune: It has a relation with the system of defense of our body

Deficiency: It means that the system of defense dont work well

Acquired: That is acquired. It isnt hereditay or congenital.

What causes AIDS?

AIDS is an infectious disease caused by a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or AIDS virus.

How HIV attack the organism?

The HIV is the unique virus that attack cells that are the directors in our defense system. Initially, the HIV is latent, "sleeping" inside cells. In some cases, after a time, often years. The virus becomes active when "wakes up" and begins to destroy cells. HIV progressively weakens the immune system, making our bodies can not properly fight against various germs.

Is the same to be infected with HIV that suffer from the disease of AIDS?

No. The facts that a person is infected with HIV, who is carrying the virus, does not mean you have AIDS or will have, but suggest that it may transmit the infection to others.

How is HIV transmitted?

Can be transmitted by 3 ways:

Blood: Through the sharing of needles and syringes and anything sharp. During the pregnancy and childbirth, uncontrolled blood transfusions.

Sexual Transmission: Sexual intercourse can transmit HIV, whether homosexual or heterosexual. The virus is carried through microscopic lesions or wounds.

Prenatal transmission: An HIV-positive woman can transmit the infection to her baby during pregnancy.
This risk can be reduced significantly if a woman is treated early in thir pregnancy and avoid giving milk to her baby.