AIDS is said to be the plague of the twentieth century. After learning more about the virus in class I now agree with this statement. I have never personally known anyone who has been infected with AIDS. I am very grateful for this. It was not until my discussion class earlier this week that I realized how quickly that statement could change. In class we did an activity that shows how easily AIDS can be spread. It only takes one encounter to become infected. You can get HIV from anyone who's infected, even if they don't look sick, and even if they haven't tested positive yet. Not everyone who is infected know that they are infected, which is why it is important to know your partners sexual history before engaging in sexual actions with them. I believe that if you are not comfortable enough with a person to ask them about their past sexual experiences, then you should not be having sex with them. Even if you are practicing safe sex, there is still a chance that AIDS can be transmitted. To me, having protected or unprotected sex with someone who's past experiences you do not know, is taking a big risk. AIDS is a fatal disease and no one sexual experience is worth risking your life for.
             AIDS and HIV is spreading exceptionally fast among young people in the United States. In the mid-1990's AIDS was the leading cause of death. This is very disturbing to me. Since AIDS is a virus that is often contracted through sexual contact it can be spread very easily. Not only is the virus present in one's blood, but it is also found it other bodily fluids. There are many simple ways to protect oneself from contracting the AIDS virus. Avoiding all sexual activity is the safest way to protect oneself, but since many people decide to become sexually active, there are many other ways to protect yourself against AIDS. If you do decide to be sexually active, it is important that you trust your partner, and are aware of his/her past sexual e...