What is HIV and AIDS?

[Storyteller.]

What is HIV and AIDS?
By Casey (Casey.)

AIDS. You've heard the term before. You have probably never thought of it affecting you. You have never known anyone who has AIDS, and you don't want to. You fear people who have AIDS. You may view them as unclean and dirty. But what do you know about AIDS really? Not much? Sure you know it's a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be deadly . But what is AIDS? How do you get AIDS?

What is AIDS? Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS, is a disease that affects millions of people around the globe. AIDS is caused by the HIV virus. HIV, or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, attacks your immune system. As your immune system weakens, you become very sick. Your body has a very difficult time fighting off infections, even common ones, such as a cold. The sicker you get, the weaker your immune system becomes. After a while, HIV can develop into the illness known as AIDS. When you have AIDS, your body can no longer protect you or fight off infections as well as before. When a person with HIV can no longer produce antibodies or white blood cells they are diagnosed with AIDS.

How do you contract AIDS? Technically people do not contract AIDS, they become infected with HIV. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection. You can contract HIV from having sex, and rarely, from oral sex. HIV can also be transmitted when an uninfected person comes into contact with the blood of someone who has HIV, as well as from sharing needles. The virus can also be passed between a mother and her unborn child, or from mother to child by breast milk. Common misconceptions are that you can get HIV from hugging, kissing, sharing food, bathrooms, tears, or dishes, but these are not true.

Anyone can contract HIV if they are sexually active or if they come into contact with infected blood. Although the virus is most prevalent in underdeveloped countries, no one is immune. To prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, always engage in safer sex practices (use condoms), don't share needles, and know your HIV status.