Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

In 1981, a unique and newly recognized syndrome called ‘Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome’ (AIDS) broke out in America from Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV). This virus causes AIDS by infecting human cells. It uses the energy and nutrients provided by the cells to grow and reproduce. There is a breakdown of immune system in the human body. Thus, the body is unable to fight against infections and other illnesses due to damaged immune system.

White blood cells protect and help us in resisting various diseases. When a person is infected with HIV, the virus grows in the body and damages or kills white blood cells. This deteriorates the immune system and leaves the person unprotected against several infections and diseases. These infections and illnesses can range from pneumonia to cancer. Since the beginning of this disease, AIDS has killed millions of people worldwide. Millions of children have been orphaned due to HIV.

A person who has HIV carries the virus in body fluids like sperm, blood and mother’s 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 also transmits the virus in the child.

HIV is not an easy virus to pass from one person to another. It is transmitted through neither food nor air. Even fleas, mosquitoes and other insects do not transmit this virus. There has never been a case where a person was infected by a household member, relative, friend or a colleague through day-to–day contact such as sharing utensils, using same bathroom or through hugging. Vomit, sweat, urine and tears do contain HIV.

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