What is HIV / AIDS?
HIV (Human Immuno Deficiency virus) is the name of the virus that causes the disease
called AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome). The origin of HIV / AIDS virus
is still not well established although a number of theories exist to explain its
origin.
When a human being is affected by disease, the white blood cells in the body destroy
the disease causing germs that enter the body. This is the normal function of the
human immune system. Thus white bloods cells (mainly lymphocytes), protect us from
disease and are our natural defense system. If the HIV virus enters the body, it
destroys a major portion of these white blood cells. Therefore the ability of the
body to fight disease is diminished and over a period of several years an HIV infected
person develops AIDS.
How Does HIV / AIDS Spread?
HIV / AIDS infection spread via four main paths:
(1)Through Sexual Transmission
(2) Through Blood Transfusion
(3) Through Injections, mainly intravenous drug injections
(4) An infected pregnant mother can transmit it to the unborn child
