The human immunodeficiency virus which is known as HIV is a sexually transmitted disease contracted by any sexual contact, sharing needles associated with drug use, tattoos, and piercings, blood to blood contact with someone infected with the virus, transfusions with contaminated blood, breast milk from an infected mother, and an infected mother to fetus during pregnancy. Getting a transfusion of blood from an infected blood donor used to be a way people got AIDS, but now the blood supply is screened very carefully and the risk is extremely low. Also there has not been any documentation of cases where HIV was transmitted by tears or saliva, but it is possible to catch HIV through oral sex, especially if you have open sores in your mouth or bleeding gums. According to AIDS.ORG, 'In the United States, there are about 800,000 to 900,000 people who are HIV-positive. Over 300,000 people are living with AIDS. Each year, there are 50,000 new infections. In the mid-1990's, AIDS was the leading cause of death. However, newer treatments have cut the AIDS death rate significantly.' Even though that death rate has sunk significantly, AIDS is now the 5th leading cause of death according to Planned Parenthood, an organization focused on sexual health and education.
             HIV is a virus that attacks the white blood cells in your immune system weakening it to the point where it is difficult to fight off a simple cold. It is hard to tell if someone has been infected with HIV without taking a proper test given by a doctor. Some people get fevers, headaches, sore muscles and joints, stomach ache, swollen lymph glands, and or skin rashes. People mistake it for the flu, but some people have no symptoms at all, for even up to 10 years after being infected. The virus multiplies in the body for weeks and even months before the immune system starts to respond and weaken. During that time a person can not test positive for HIV, but can st
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