Quick facts

More than 25 million people have died from AIDS since it was first discovered in 1981.

Young people (under the age of 25) account for about half of all the HIV infection worldwide.

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Introduction

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a collection of infections that your body contracts because your immune system is severely damaged by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

It is important to know the difference between HIV and AIDS. HIV is what you would contract first as HIV causes AIDS. AIDS is the collection of diseases and opputunistic infections that your body gets because your immune system is so badly damaged. After looking at the 2 acronyms, 'HIV' and 'AIDS' you should easily be able to see the difference between them:

H Human The virus only affects humans, not animals or any other organism.
I Immunodeficiency The virus causes a deficiency in your immune system; it causes it to function improperly.
V Virus It is a virus because it cannot reproduce by itself. It needs to take over and use the cells in your body to reproduce.

A Acquired The virus must be acquired. It is not Passed genetically, or capable of being passed genetically, from one generation to the next.hereditary, you must be infected with it.
I Immune The virus is so dangerous because your immune system is no longer working properly due to HIV. Your immune system is the part of your body that fights off infections and diseases.
D Deficiency A deficiency is when something is not working properly. In this case we are talking about your immune system not working properly.
S Syndrome AIDS is actually a collection of diseases and opportunistic infections that your body contracts because HIV has destroyed your immune system.

There are treatments for HIV and AIDS that can slow down the virus's progression; however, there is no actual cure. HIV is transmitted through contact with body fluids that contain the HIV virus, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. There are a number of ways in which these fluids can be exchanged between people.

Aids patient
A suffering AIDS patient
in Nigeria.
Source: CLICK HERE

HIV is Occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population.pandemic, with about 33.2 million people infected with the virus worldwide. As of November 2007 it was estimated that AIDS had killed more than 25 million people from when it was first recognized on June 5, 1981. This makes AIDS one of the most destructive diseases to be recorded in history.

Why is this website here?

It is very important to be aware of AIDS, and how it could possibly affect you. As a teenager, it is embarrassing to talk to your teachers, parents and other elders about things like drugs, sex and alcohol. This is why this website is here. It's a place to educate yourself about a very important topic, HIV and AIDS, in a way that is not embarrassing but still gets the message through. This website was made for the following 3 reasons:

  • To make sure that you are aware of the AIDS situation and therefore reduce your chance of contracting this virus.
  • To help you live a constructive life if you already have contracted HIV.
  • To encourage everyone to go out and support those who are fighting the AIDS crisis.

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Sources of information used in this page:

http://www.avert.org/statindx.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS
http://www.aids.org/info/FAQs.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_immunodeficiency_virus
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