AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, sometimes written Aids) is a human disease characterized by progressive destruction of the body's immune system. It is widely accepted that AIDS results from infection with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). AIDS is currently considered incurable; where treatments are unavailable (mostly in poorer countries) most sufferers die within a few years of diagnosis. In developed countries, treatment has improved greatly over the past decade, and people have lived with AIDS for ten to twenty years. In 2003, it was estimated that 40 million were infected with HIV and 5 million contracted AIDS.

AIDS was first noticed among homosexual men and intravenous drug users in the 1980s. By the 1990s the syndrome had become a global epidemic and in 2004, 58% of those with AIDS were women. While homosexual men continue to suffer higher per capita AIDS rates, the majority of victims are currently heterosexual women and men, and children, in developing countries.

Symptoms

HIV is transmitted by bodily fluids, such as blood, semenSemen or ejaculate is the fluid discharged from the penis during ejaculation, usually at the time of orgasm. Like blood, semen consists of two compartments, the cellular compartment spermatozoa , and noncellular compartment seminal plasma . Thus, it conta, breast milkBreast milk usually refers to the milk produced by a human female which is usually fed to infants by breastfeeding. It provides the primary source of nutrition for newborns, before they are able to digest more diverse foods. Production Under the influence, and vaginal secretions. It causes disease by infecting CD4+ T cellT cells are a subset of lymphocytes that play a large role in the primary immune response. The abbreviation "T" stands for thymus, the organ in which their final stage of their development occurs. There are many types of T cells: Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+)s, a type of leukocyte (white blood cell) that normally coordinates the immune response to infectionInfection" is also the title of an episode of the television series Babylon 5; see Infection (Babylon 5). An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. The colonizing organism interferes with the normal functioning and cancerFor other meanings of Cancer: see Cancer (disambiguation . apoptosis; cancer cells, however, avoid apoptosis. Cancer is a group of related diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell division. Currently, it is believed that cancers arise from both genetic. When a person's CD4+ T cellT cells are a subset of lymphocytes that play a large role in the primary immune response. The abbreviation "T" stands for thymus, the organ in which their final stage of their development occurs. There are many types of T cells: Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+) count decreases sufficiently he or she is prone to a range of diseases that a healthy person's body is normally able to fight. These diseases include cancers and opportunistic infections, which are usually the cause of death in persons with AIDS. HIV also infects brain cells, causing some neurological disorders.

Originally AIDS was diagnosed based on the opportunistic diseases affecting the patient. Today, diagnosis is based on CD4+ T cell counts. This allows for earlier diagnosis and better representation of women.

How are they diagnosed?

The diagnosis of a cancer can be suspected on the symptoms and the results of the physical examination. Kaposi's sarcoma is diagnosed by a biopsy of any purple patch or sore on the skin or mucous membrane. Lymphoma and the other cancers require a biopsy of the affected lymph nodes.

What is the treatment?

Treatment for AIDS-associated cancers include:

Chemotherapy: This uses drugs that kill the tumour cells.
Radiotherapy: is also used to destroy cancerous growths and slow
their spread.
Combination therapy: Treatment includes a combination of surgery,
chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

How can AIDS be prevented?

Avoid sexual contact with HIV infected individuals or use a condom during sex.
Ensure the barber doesn't reuse blades.
Intravenous drug users shouldn't share needles.
HIV infected individuals should not donate blood, semen, or body
parts.
Breast feeding should be avoided because the virus can be

transmitted to the infant.