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AIDS or acquired immune deficiency syndrome is a condition that is categorized by several symptoms that are the result of the infection of the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. The overall effect of having AIDS is the eventual downfall of the immune system. This makes the individual with AIDS susceptible to infections and others diseases since there is a reduction in the immune system. The reduction of the efficiency of the individual's immune system makes him an easy target of various sicknesses and diseases called opportunistic infections.

The aim of the human immunodeficiency virus is to destroy the immune cells of the body thus rendering the individual open to various infections. Younger children and older adults may be more susceptible to rapid progression of the virus due to their already weakened immune system not being able to defend against HIV.

Contraction

The most common way to contract AIDS is to have certain bodily fluid contact with an infected person. Examples of these body fluids are breast milk, blood, vaginal fluids, semen and preseminal fluid. Exposure to any of the mentioned fluids can ultimately lead to an infection of the human immunodeficiency virus and then when it gets full blown, AIDS. Exposure to these fluids includes but may not be limited to breastfeeding, mother and child exchanges during childbirth and pregnancy, oral, anal and vaginal sex, getting in contact with hypodermic needles exposed to the virus and blood transfusion.

Prevention

Since HIV or AIDS is contracted through body fluids exposure through sexual activities primarily, the best way to prevent getting HIV or AIDS is to practice safe sex. Practicing safe sex can mean a lot of things including using condoms throughout the whole sexual act and also abstaining from sex with casual partners whom you are not sure of the sexual history. Oral, anal and vaginal sex can transmit the virus or the disease which means that condom for anal and vaginal sex is a must while oral sex is to be done with safe partners. The use of oil based lubricants with latex condoms can compromise the condoms safety as these oil based lubricants can make the latex porous.

Another way a person may contract AIDS is through exposure to body fluids via work as a health care worker. Gloves, masks and other protective and preventive barriers must be worn when dealing with individuals who are positive to have HIV or AIDS . Frequent scrubbing and cleaning of exposed skin can also help to prevent further exposure so with being careful when dealing with needles, scalpels and other sharp objects exposed to HIV or the disease itself.

Mother and child exposure cannot be prevented during pregnancy and childbirth but after that there are certain measures that can ensure the prevention of the child's exposure to the disease.

Treatment

Treatment for HIV and AIDS are still currently ongoing but there has been remarkable progress regarding controlling the disease. Antiretroviral medications have been developed to manage the disease and although it can not completely eliminate it, these cocktail of around two or three medications can ultimately improve the quality of life and mortality of a person exposed to AIDS .

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Original article : Facts About AIDS

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