Human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(HIV/AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by infection with

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). During the initial infection, a person may experience a brief period of influenza-like illness. This is typically followed by a prolonged period without symptoms. As the illness progresses, it interferes more and more with the immune system, making the person much more likely to get infections, including opportunistic infections and tumors that do not usually affect people who have working immune systems. HIV is transmitted primarily via unprotected sexual intercourse (including anal and evenoral sex), contaminated blood transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from mother to childduring pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. Some bodily fluids, such as saliva and tears, do not transmit HIV. Prevention of HIV infection, primarily through safe sex andneedle-exchange programs, is a key strategy to control the spread of the disease. There is no cure or vaccine; however, antiretroviral treatment can slow the course of the disease and may lead to a near-normal life expectancy. While antiretroviral treatment reduces the risk of death and complications from the disease, these medications are expensive and may be associated with side effects. Genetic research indicates that HIV originated in west-central Africa during the early twentieth century. AIDS was first recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1981 and its causeHIV infectionwas identified in the early part of the decade. Since its discovery, AIDS has caused nearly 30 million deaths (as of 2009). As of 2010, approximately 34 million people are living with HIV globally. AIDS is considered a pandemica disease outbreak which is present over a large area and is actively spreading. HIV/AIDS has had a great impact on society, both as an illness and as a source of discrimination. The disease also has significanteconomic impacts. There are many misconceptions about HIV/AIDS such as the belief that it can be transmitted by casual non-sexual contact. The disease has also become subject to many controversies involving religion. It has attracted international medical and political attention, and large-scale funding, since it was identified in the 1980s.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is defined in terms of either a CD4+ T cell count below 200 cells per L or the occurrence of specific diseases in association with an HIV infection. In the absence of specific treatment, around half of people infected with HIV develop AIDS within ten years.

Opportunistic infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that are normally controlled by the immune system. Which infections occur partly depends on what organisms are common in the person's environment. These infections may affect nearly every organ system. People with AIDS have an increased risk of developing various viral induced cancers including Kaposi's sarcoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, primary central nervous system lymphoma, and cervical cancer. Kaposi's sarcoma is the most common cancer occurring in 10 to 20% of people with HIV. Both these cancers are associated with human herpesvirus 8. Cervical cancer occurs more frequently in those with AIDS due to its association with human papillomavirus (HPV). Additionally, people with AIDS frequently have systemic symptoms such as prolonged fevers, sweats (particularly at night), swollen lymph nodes, chills, weakness, and weight loss. Diarrhea is another common symptom present in about 90% of people with AIDS. They can also be affected by diverse psychiatric and neurological symptoms independent of opportunistic infections and cancers. TRANSMISSION People have lots of questions about the ways you can get HIV. HIV is transmitted in blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common ways HIV is spread are by

having vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom with someone who has HIV/AIDS sharing needles or syringes with someone who has HIV/AIDS being deeply punctured with a needle or surgical instrument contaminated with HIV getting HIV-infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions into open wounds or sores Babies born to women with HIV/AIDS can get HIV from their mothers during birth or from breastfeeding. HIV is not transmitted by simple casual contact such as kissing, sharing drinking glasses, or hugging.

SYMPTOMS Some people develop HIV symptoms shortly after being infected. But it usually takes more than 10 years. There are several stages of HIV disease. The first HIV symptoms may include swollen glands in the throat, armpit, or groin. Other early HIV symptoms include slight fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms may last for only a few weeks. Then there are usually no HIV symptoms for many years. That is why it can be hard to know if you have HIV.

AIDS symptoms appear in the most advanced stage of HIV disease. In addition to a badly damaged immune system, a person with AIDS may also have

thrush a thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth that is caused by a yeast infection and sometimes accompanied by a sore throat severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections chronic pelvic inflammatory disease severe and frequent infections periods of extreme and unexplained tiredness that may be combined with headaches, lightheadedness, and/or dizziness quick loss of more than 10 pounds of weight that is not due to increased physical exercise or dieting bruising more easily than normal long periods of frequent diarrhea frequent fevers and/or night sweats swelling or hardening of glands located in the throat, armpit, or groin periods of persistent, deep, dry coughing increasing shortness of breath the appearance of discolored or purplish growths on the skin or inside the mouth unexplained bleeding from growths on the skin, from the mouth, nose, anus, or vagina, or from any opening in the body frequent or unusual skin rashes severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet, the loss of muscle control and reflex, paralysis, or loss of muscular strength confusion, personality change, or decreased mental abilities

Is There a Cure for HIV/AIDS? There is currently no cure for HIV/AIDS. But there are treatments for people living with HIV/AIDS. If you have HIV/AIDS, you can take combinations of medicines called "cocktails." The drug cocktails are designed to strengthen the immune system to keep HIV from developing into AIDS or to relieve AIDS symptoms. These drugs are often very expensive, may have serious and very uncomfortable side effects, and may not be available to everyone. They only work for some people and may only work for limited periods of time. But thanks to "cocktails" for the immune system and improved therapies for the symptoms of AIDS, people are now able to live with HIV/AIDS for many years. New treatments and research may help people live even longer. How Can I Prevent Getting or Spreading HIV? There are many ways you can protect yourself from HIV. The surest way is to abstain from sexual intercourse and from sharing needles and "works" if you use steroids, hormones, or other drugs. Many people have been infected with HIV by sharing needles. If you are using needles for steroids, hormones, or other drugs

Never share needles. Get into a needle-exchange program. Be sure to disinfect the needles you use.

Don't share personal items that may have blood on them. This includes toothbrushes, razors, needles for piercing or tattooing, and blades for cutting or scarring. If you choose to have sex, have safer sex to reduce the risk of exchanging blood, semen, or vaginal fluids with your sex partner(s).