Secondary School Level

Outline: Initial breakage of the syndrome and their full forms. Multiplication of virus in human body and its ill effects. How is HIV transmitted? Treatments to control HIV.

In the year 1981, a unique and newly recognized syndrome known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) broke out in America. HIV which stands for Human Immune Deficiency Virus causes AIDS. HIV infects human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by the eel Is to grow and reproduce.

The body's immune system breaks down in this disease. The body is unable to fight against infections and other sicknesses due to damaged immune system.

When a person is infected with HIV, the virus enters the body and multiplies largely in the white blood cells. These cells normally protect and help us in resisting various diseases. As the virus grows, it damages or kills these cells. This weakens the immune system and leaves the individual defenseless against various infections and illnesses. These infections and illnesses can range from pneumonia to cancer. AIDS has killed more than twenty-five million people worldwide, including more than six lakh people in America. Due to this disease millions of children have became orphan.

HIV is not an easy virus to pass from one person to another. It is not transmitted through food or air i.e. while sneezing or coughing. Even mosquitoes, fleas and other insects do not transmit HIV. There has never been a case where a person was infected by a household member, relative, co-worker, or friend through daily contact such as sharing eating utensils, using same bathroom facilities or through hugging. Sweat, urine, tears, vomit, do contain HIV but have not been reported to transmit the disease.

A person who has HIV carries the virus in certain body fluids, including blood, semen or breast milk. The virus can be transmitted only if such HIV-infected fluids enter the bloodstream of another person. Some of the ways by which HIV is transmitted in person's body are sharing needles or syringes with someone who is HIV infected. Infection caused during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding transmits the virus in the child.

For many years, there were no effective treatments for AIDS. Today, number of drugs are available to treat HIV infection. Vaccines for HIV would offer drastic reduce in new HIV infections around the world. Every year, 18th May is observed as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD). Scientists and health workers have been among the many people involved worldwide in the effort to find a vaccine for HIV.