What is AIDS?

Abstract

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). According to the World Health Organization, 4 million people have developed AIDS since the beginning of the pandemic; by mid-1994, more than 16 million adults and over 1 million infants had been infected with HIV. The vast majority of those infected with HIV will develop AIDS; the average time between the two events is 10 years. For children and those with poor nutrition, the time is shorter. There is no cure for AIDS, and almost all of those with AIDS will die of it. Development of a vaccine has been unsuccessful. Since HIV destroys cells in the body's immune system, the infected person can easily develop tuberculosis, meningitis, and chronic diarrhea. Although an infected person may have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, he or she can still transmit the disease to others. A person can be infected with HIV through contact with infected blood, semen, and cervical or vaginal fluids; through sexual intercourse; through transfusion of blood or blood products infected with HIV; through injection or piercing of the skin with an instrument contaminated with HIV; or from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. HIV cannot be transmitted by coughing or sneezing; handshakes; insect bites; contacts at work or school; touching or hugging; using toilets; water or food; using a telephone; kissing; swimming pools; or sharing cups, plates, or other eating and drinking utensils.