AIDS/HIV

The HIV virus poses one of the biggest viral threats to human society today.   It
is contracted through bodily fluids such as blood and semen, and sometimes even
saliva and tears.   AIDS kills 100% of its victims and puts them through agony
before they die.   It has been a threat for about 15 years, and it is not going
to stop now.   In fact, AIDS is just getting started:   It consumes more people
each year.   There is no known treatment for it either, only antibiotics to slow
the reproduction of the virus. HIV is passed from one person to another by
bodily fluids only.   It is usually gotten through sexual intercourse or other
intimate contact, through the exchanging of unsterilized intravenous needles, or
by the contact of HIV-infected bodily fluids and an open wound.   It cannot
permeate though intact skin, hence it cannot be spread through informal contact.
AIDS has not been found to travel in insects or tame animals.   In pregnant women,
the virus only infects the infant near or at the time of birth.   The virus dies
quickly without a host.

AIDS (Acquired ImmunoDifficiency Syndrome) weakens the body¹s immune system so
it is sensitive to infection.   The AIDS virus primarily attacks the T
lymphocytes, which are a main part of the immune system.   The virus is also
incubated in cells called macrophages, where it is accidentally sent to other,
healthy cells in the body like neurons and lymphatic cells. After HIV is
contracted, the person looks and feels healthy for up to 20 years before
symptoms start occurring.   During this time, the person can give the virus to
another even though it cannot be detected by sight or smell.   Usually, symptoms
start developing within 1 to 2 years.   Typical indications of the virus are
fever, weariness, weight loss, skin rashes, a fungal mouth infection called
thrush, lack of immunity to infection, and enlarged lymph nodes. When AIDS
overtakes the body, the body becomes especially susceptible to tuberculosis,
pneumonia, and a rare... [continues]

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