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What is HIV/AIDS?
AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), a major worldwide epidemic, is caused by infection with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) which kills or harms cells of the body’s immune system (T-cells), gradually destroying the body’s ability to fight infections and certain cancers. There are two types of HIV, HIV-1, which is distributed worldwide, and HIV-2, which us largely confined to West Africa. Individuals diagnosed with AIDS are likely to get life-threatening diseases called opportunistic infections which are caused by bacteria, viruses, and other types of microscopic organisms that are usually harmless to healthy people. AIDS is called “acquired” to distinguish it from inherited (genetic) forms of immune deficiency. It is called a “syndrome” because it is a set of symptoms that occur together, rather than a clear-cut disease.

Symptoms usually appear when the T-cell level drops below 200. Some people become so ill from the symptoms of AIDS that they are unable to hold a job or do household chores, while others may experience phases of intense life-threatening illness followed by periods of normal functioning. The term AIDS applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection, and includes all HIV- infected people who have fewer than 200 CD4 T cells. (Healthy adults usually have counts of 1,000 or more).

HIV transmission occurs when a person is exposed to body fluids infected with the virus, such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. The primary modes of HIV transmission are (1) sexual relations with an infected person; (2) sharing hypodermic needles or accidental pricking by a needle contaminated with infected blood; and (3) transfer of the virus from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breast-feeding.

AIDS is an international problem that touches people in every country of the world. People with AIDS need our support and encouragement. Let’s think about how we can support them!