Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
A.I.D.S., also known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is a disorder of
the body's immune system. In A.I.D.S. the body stops producing some of its important
natural defenses against disease. Victims often die from disease of infections they cannot
fight. A.I.D.S is the result of an infection known as HIV, human immunodeficiency
virus. A person with HIV gradually loses function of their immune system, becoming less
able to fight off common colds and virus, thus eventually leading to death.
HIV was first revealed in the early 80's in homosexual men. Infection with HIV
does not necessarily mean that a person does have A.I.D.S. A person can be HIV
positive for years without developing illnesses that are associated with the A.I.D.S.
disease. HIV is characterized by a gradual deterioration of the immune system. Cells
known as T-Helper cells are disabled and killed during the course of the infection. These
cells play an important part in the human body because they signal other cells to perform
The AIDS epidemic is growing very rapidly among minority populations and is a
leading killer of African American males.
HIV can be transmitted by contact with infected blood, most often by the sharing
of drug needles or syringes contaminated with blood containing the virus. The risk of
contacting the HIV virus from blood transfusions has decreased since earlier years. Now
all donated blood is screened for any signs of the HIV virus. HIV is spread most
commonly by having sex with someone who already has the virus. The virus can enter the
human body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth during sex.
Almost all HIV infected children get the HIV virus from their mothers before or
during birth. A drug known as AZT can reduce risk of transmission of the virus from
mother to child. The virus...