Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a dreadful disease caused by the infection of Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). After a person infected with this virus, symptoms may not appear for a prolonged period of time. As the virus inside the body progresses, it starts interfering with the immune system more and more which results in the risk of developing common infections like tuberculosis, influenza-like illness, opportunistic infections, and tumors etc. The development of late symptoms after the infection are referred to as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
HIV is mainly spread by having unprotected sex, using hypodermic needles, contaminated blood transfusions and from mother to child transmission during delivery, breastfeeding, and pregnancy. Body fluids like saliva, vomit, sweat and tears do not transmit this harmful virus. The safety measures to be followed to prevent HIV are having protected & safe sex, treating those who are infected with HIV, needle exchange programs, male circumcisions and by giving antiretroviral medication for the deceased mother to avoid transmitting to her child.
Till date, there is no vaccine or cure to HIV/AIDS. However antiretroviral treatments are proved to slow down the course of HIV and increase the lifespan with fewer complications. This treatment should be started as soon as the diagnosis is made. Without any treatment, the infected person survives for an average of 11 years. Prevention of HIV AIDS is better than cure.
