AIDS is caused by the Human immunodeficiency virus, more commonly known as HIV. This virus attacks the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to a wide range of infections and diseases. Common bacteria, parasites and viruses that would not originally cause serious disease in people could be potentially fatal for people with AIDS. AIDS is the fifth most common leading cause of death for people between the ages of 25 and 44 in the United States. In 1995, it was the number one cause of death. About 25 million people worldwide have died from this infection, with over 40 million people currently living with either HIV or AIDS as of 2008.
People who are at the highest risk for getting the AIDS virus include drug users that share needles and infants that are born from a mother has carries the virus. People that engage in unprotected sex increase their risk. Blood transfusion patients that received their product between 1977 and 1985 are at a high risk, due to the time period that occurred before the screening for the virus began. Also, partners that engage in high-risk activities have a higher risk.
Chronic diarrhea is associated with people that are HIV positive and this is due to many possible causes such as bacteria and parasitic infections. Diarrhea is believed to be a result of changes in the way the intestinal tract captures nutrient. On the other hand diarrhea may be a side effect of drugs that is been used to treat HIV. It can also be the side effect of taking antibiotics which is been used to treat diarrhea.
HIV is spread in the body through direct contact of a mucous membrane or blood stream with a bodily fluid containing HIV. Examples of bodily fluid that may be infected with HIV includes blood, semen, breast milk, and vaginal fluid. HIV is transmitted when people have anal, vaginal or oral sex, blood transfusion and using needles that is been infected with HIV. Babies tends to have HIV from their mother during pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding. HIV have also been detected in saliva, tears, nervous system tissue and spinal fluid but only blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk is the major way HIV is been transmitted to others. HIV infections is not spread by mosquitoes, casual contact such as hugging, touching a person infected with HIV or participating in sports or any activities.
HIV has been found in many places on the body. Sites of discovery include saliva, tears, blood, semen, vaginal fluid and breast milk. The only places that transmit infections are blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk. The virus can be transmitted from many ways. Sexual contact, such as oral, vaginal and anal, can transmit this disease. Blood can carry this disease and can be shared through the sharing of needles or blood transfusions, although it is extremely rare to receive the AIDS virus through a blood transfusion in the United States. A pregnant woman can transmit the disease to her fetus due to shared blood circulation, or can transmit it to her baby through her breast milk. Rare methods of transmission include an accidental needle injury, artificial insemination or an organ transplant with an infected organ. The infection cannot be spread through casual contact. It can't be transmitted by mosquitoes.
In order to prevent AIDS, you need to take certain precautions. First, read articles on safe sex and what you can do to learn how to reduce your risk through sex. Do not use injected drugs. If receiving drugs through an IV, do not share needles or syringes. Avoid contact with other people's blood at all times possible. Use protection when you must be in contact. If you have AIDS, do not donate blood, plasma, organs, or sperm. If a pregnant woman that has AIDS, talk to your doctor about possible medical options and what you can do to reduce the baby's chances of getting the virus. Use condoms when having sex, but the only way to guarantee you do not acquire the AIDs virus is to undergo abstinence. The riskiest behavior is unprotected sex, while the least risky is through oral sex.
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