Human Immunodeficiency Virus

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) can only live in the body, its dies quickly anywhere else. The immune system looks after the body by fighting diseases. HIV attacks the human immune system, by stopping it from working properly. The virus itself does not make you sick, it attacks the immune system. When it attacks, your immune system gets weak and is easier for you to get other diseases. People who become infected with the HIV may have no symptoms for up to 10 years, but they can still transmit the infections to other. Their immune system gradually weakens until they are diagnosed with AIDS.

HIV is a virus, like the flu or cold. It is different from other viruses because it attacks cells in the immune system that normally protects the body. A virus needs living cells in order to make copies of itself. If it doesn't make copies of itself it dies. Human are protected from viruses by their immune system. The immune system has cells that kill cells that are infected with a virus. When the immune system cells die the body is at risk to other infections. There are many symptoms of illness that may occur since the infection can occur throughout the body. Special symptoms relating to HIV infection are: Sore throat, Mouth sores, Muscular stiffness or aching, Headaches, Diarrhea, Swollen lymph glands, Fever, Fatigue, Rash of various types, Frequent yeast infection. However, only blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk has been proven to transmit infections to other. Many people do not experience any symptoms at all. HIV has been found in saliva, tears, nervous system, tissue, blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. HIV is a chronic medical condition that can be treated, but not yet cured. People are given a drug that attacks HIV at various stages and is an antiretroviral drug. HIV was discovered and identified as the agent for AIDS by Luc Montagnier of France in 1984.

AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) to acquire something is to get something from somewhere else; AIDS is a result of your body getting the HIV virus. This means that AIDS has something to do with the body's immune system. A deficiency is weak or lacking. AIDS means the immune system is too weak that it can not work properly. So it cannot stop the diseases. Syndrome is a collection of the diseases and not just one. People with AIDS are in danger of getting a number of diseases.

AIDS is the final and most serious stage of HIV, which causes severe damages to the immune system. It is the fifth leading cause of death among people between the ages of 25 and 44 in the United States. About 47 million people worldwide have been infected with the HIV since the epidemic. HIV is the retrovirus responsible for AIDS. This virus attacks the immune system and leaves the body valuable to a variety of life threatening infections and cancer. Common bacteria and viruses that ordinarily do not cause serious illness in people with fully functional immune system can cause fatal illnesses in people with AIDS.

There is no cure for AIDS at this time. However, several treatments are available that can delay the progression of the disease for many years and improve