In 1981, scientists in the United States and France first recognized the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which was later discovered to be caused by a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV breaks down the body’s immunity to infections that cause AIDS. The virus can lie hidden in the body for up to 10 years without producing any obvious symptoms or been in before developing the disease and, meanwhile, the person can infect others unknowingly. Currently, an estimated 40 million people worldwide are HIV carriers and three million people a year die from AIDS.
HIV live in white blood cells and is present in the sexual fluids of human beings. It’s hard to catch and is spread mainly through sexual intercourse, by needles or syringes among users of intravenous drugs, blood transfusions and during pregnancy and childbirth (if the mother is infected). The use of another person or razor blade to her body tattooed or pierced are also risky, but the HIV virus is not transmitted by shaking hands, kissing, cuddling, stroking, sneezing, cooking food, or sharing eating utensils or drinking . One can not be infected by saliva, sweat, tears, urine or feces, toilet seats, telephone, swimming pools, or mosquito bites does not cause AIDS. Ostracizing a well-known victim of AIDS is not only immoral but also absurd.
Most blood banks now screen their products for HIV and may protect against dirty needles only allow a shot if you see the syringe taken from a new unopened package. The simplest safeguard during sexual intercourse is the proper use of a latex condom. Unroll the condom on an erect penis while withdrawing after ejaculation, keep the condom as exit. Never try to recycle a condom, and a package bid with you, because it can be a hassle trying to buy at short notice.
HIV spreads more often than through vaginal anal sex, because the lining of the rectum is much weaker than that of the vagina, and sometimes regular condoms tear when used in anal sex. If you have anal sex, only use extra-strong condoms and special water-based lubricants, as the oil, petroleum jelly, cream and weaken the rubber. During oral sex be sure that receives no semen or menstrual blood in his mouth. One woman is 10 times the risk of contracting AIDS from a man than vice versa, and the threat is always greatest when another sexually transmitted disease (STD) is present.
The very existence of AIDS requires a fundamental change in human behaviour. No vaccine or drug exists that can prevent or cure AIDS, and because the virus mutates frequently, may not be offensive fully effective remedy. Other sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, herpes and are much more common than AIDS and can lead to serious complications such as infertility, but at least can be cured.
You should always practice safe sex to prevent AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. You never know who is infected, or even if you yourself have become infected. It is important to bring the issue up before you start making love. Make a joke of it by pulling out a condom and asked his new partner, “Say, do you know what this is?” Or maybe, “Your condom or mine?” Far from being embarrassed or unromantic, so you feel more relaxed with the subject away from their minds, and is much better than after worrying whether you might have been infected. The golden rule is safe sex or no sex.
An HIV infection can be detected through a blood test, because the antibodies created by the body to fight the virus can be seen under a microscope. It takes at least three weeks for the antibodies that are produced and in some cases up to six months before they can be picked up during a screening test. If you think you might have run a risk, should discuss the desirability of a test with your doctor. It is always best to know whether they are infected so that they can to avoid infecting others, to get early treatment of symptoms, and to make realistic plans. If you know someone with AIDS, you must give them all the support it can (there is no danger in this kind of contact unless blood is present).
