HIV/AIDS

CONTENT

1. Introduction
2. The Meaning of HIV
3. The Meaning of AIDS
4. Causes of HIV/AIDS
5. Symptoms of AIDS
6. Effects of HIV/AIDS

Introduction

A healthy human body ordinarily should be able to defend itself against various infectious diseases, as it has defence cells in the body called the CD4 helper lymphocytes. The body system is helped by these lymphocytes to fight diseases. HIV destroys the body’s immune system by making the CD4 lymphocytes unable to function effectively.

The Meaning of HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS. It can only affect human beings by destroying the body’s immune system. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids come in contact with an uninfected person’s blood. This could be through sexual intercourse or through the sharing of sharp objects. When a person is infected by the virus over a long period of time, his or his body fluids (such as blood, semen or virginal secretions) will contain HIV and the antibodies.