AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Acquired means one can get infected with it, immune deficiency means a weakness in the body's system that fights diseases, and syndrome means a group of health problems that make up a disease. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is caused by a virus called HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus. This condition reduces the effectiveness of the immune system and leaves individuals susceptible to infections and tumors.

Mode of Transmission

Human immunodeficiency virus is primarily transmitted by sex (anal, vaginal or oral sex with an infected partner), by injections (sharing contaminated needles for drug use or accidental piercing with a contaminated needle), or from infected mother to child through pregnancy or breast-feeding.

Infected semen and vaginal fluids, blood and blood products lead to the transmission of HIV. Drug abuse with unsterilized needles is another high-risk activity. Unprotected sex with multiple partners is the major cause of infection.

Symptoms

Human immunodeficiency virus disease manifests as AIDS when the immune system is seriously damaged. In such cases, the cell count decreases by fourteen percent. The infected person becomes prone to various opportunistic infections such as:

• PCP (Pneumocystis pneumonia), a lung infection
• KS (Kaposi's sarcoma), a skin cancer
• CMV (Cytomegalovirus), an infection that usually affects the eyes
• Candida, a fungal infection that can cause thrush (a white film in one's mouth) or infections in one's throat or vagina
• The AIDS related diseases also include serious weight loss, brain tumors and other health problems

Who is at risk?

People with jobs that involve routine exposure to blood, and other body fluids are highly prone to HIV infection. Healthcare professionals can be exposed to HIV from needle-sticks and cuts and nicks caused by sharp objects. The infection can also be transmitted if the workers have contact with blood or infectious body fluids through broken, cut or torn skin.

There is also high risk of infection if contaminated blood or body fluids come in contact with wet skin in the eyes, nose, or mouth. Corrections staff, law enforcement, and public safety workers such as emergency medical personnel are always at risk due to exposure to infected blood or body fluids.

Preventions

Although AIDS is a high risk disease, it can be prevented if proper precautions are taken. Greater awareness should be meted out to those who are ignorant of the virus and its repercussions on the human body. We have listed a few measures that can be adopted by everyone in order to stave off the HIV infection.

• Promiscuous sexual behavior can leave a person highly susceptible to the HIV infection. Always use latex condoms. The female condom can also help protect both partners. Use only water-based lubricants. Oil lubricants (such as Vaseline) might even tear latex condoms.
• Always avoid alcohol or drugs during sex; one might lose control of one's senses and engage in unsafe sex.
• Use only disposable syringe and needles for transfusion. Always get the blood that is screened and certified as HIV free.
• It is recommended that an HIV-positive woman should not breast-feed her baby. The infant should be given zidovudine (AZT) for the first several weeks in order to reduce the risk of infection.