AIDS stands for acquired immunity deficiency syndrome. It occurs as the end stage of the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. While treatment has become available for millions of people, many people remain undiagnosed and remain unaware they carry the viral infection that causes AIDS. Treatment works better if performed in the beginning stages of infection with the HIV virus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Once the disease settles in, bringing pneumonia, brain tumors and other autoimmune illnesses including infections within the body, it becomes increasingly difficult to treat and terminal.
Multiple Sexual Partners
A large number of sexual partners increases the chances of contracting the HIV infection. The HIV virus exists in body fluids such as semen and vaginal fluids. Since many people do not get tested to check for the HIV infection, the risk of infections increases for those who have unprotected sex. Having unprotected sex creates a situation in which the person who does not have the virus can become infected. Not using protection such as condoms allows vaginal fluids and male semen to mix, allowing the virus to spread easily. Many drug addicts sell their bodies to buy heroin and have sex with many people to buy the drugs they want to use.
Exchanging Dirty Needles
Drug abuse, which involves the exchange of dirty hypodermic needles, creates another way for HIV to spread, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. The virus, undetectable by the human eye, lives on the needle. When people use drugs, they do not think about the dangers inherent in using, especially when they need to get high with their chosen drugs. Only the burning need for the drug matters. The importance of consuming the drugs outweighs any possible attempts to remain safe and use a clean needle. Although some drug addicts do use clean needles, many do not care. Most drug addicts suffer from depression and have underlying mental illnesses.
Blood Products
Blood products such as those used with dialysis and transfusions may spread the HIV virus. Before 1985, blood products were not screened as closely as today in the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Although the chances of acquiring the disease have decreased because of increased safety measures, the chance remains. Multiple blood transfusions may lead to transmission of the virus. Health care workers also endure the risk of infection when handling needles and performing tests for HIV victims. Nurses and technicians do not commonly experience needle sticks in hospitals, but the possibility exists. Blood-to-blood contact remains one of the easiest ways of transmission of HIV.
References
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 1993 Revised Classification System for HIV Infection and Expanded Surveillance Case Definition for AIDS Among Adolescents and Adults?
- MayoClinic.com:HIV/AIDS
- MayoClinic.com: Symptoms?
- ?MedlinePlus: HIV / AIDS: ?Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment
