Aids is known and feared around the world. Due to the fact
             that it has no known cure and that its results are deadly,
             people tend to be extra cautious in protecting themselves
             against it. Many are ignorant and believe they are susceptible
             to contracting the virus through casual contact with an
             infected individual. This is not true however; the
             transmission of HIV does not exist through casual contact as it
             does through the transfer of bodily fluids.
             Located in the envelope surrounding HIV is a protein called
             Glycoprotein. This protein enables the virus to attach to a
             specific molecule called CD4. CD4 is found on most white blood
             cells and is not found on any other cells in the human body.
             It follows then that such sights as the skin and the digestive
             tract are unable to host HIV. Casual contact while at work,
             play or even in a food-service environment is therefore
             In order to replicate, HIV must bind and enter into a host
             cell. Once inside the cell, the retrovirus must copy its
             genetic information and encode it into the nucleus of the host.
             Only then may the HIV reproduce to bud newly formed viruses.
             The white blood cells inside the human body are ideal in
             executing this process and are in-fact the only possible sight
             for reproduction to take place. Since the retrovirus is unable
             to reproduce outside of the human body, it does not maintain
             its infectiousness and may not be transmitted through casual
             A person may become HIV positive if their fluids are
             exchanged with fluids containing the virus. Exposure to
             contaminated cells in blood through the use of used needles is
             a very common way HIV is acquired. Another rapidly increasing
             method of transmission is through unprotected sex with
             infected partners. Other fluids such as saliva and breast milk
             also contain traces of the virus however their concentrations
             are low and therefore are not as dangerous. Acquir...