HIV infection has four stages. After two to six weeks from contracting the virus, symptoms that resemble the ones of the flu can appear. This way, the infected person can feel nausea, fever, night sweating, fatigue, and altered general state, headaches, muscle pain, etc. There are patients who do not mind these symptoms, or the symptoms simply do not appear. For the correct diagnosis of the HIV AIDS, it is necessary that special tests be conducted. The second phase is where the virus begins to multiply. This phase progress slowly and could last for a number of years. The infected person will not show any physical symptoms of the infection, but their mental and emotional state could get a beating. Those who do not know they are infected will not feel any indications of the infection. The third phase ushers the patient towards the Aids Related Complex or ARC. The symptoms are not going away this time, but instead they will intensify and cause the patient to suffer the effects of acute infection and begin to experience changes in his/her general condition. Thus the patient progresses to the next phase of the infection. Now we come to the final stage of HIV which is now the AIDS phase. By now, the patient’s compromised immune system is still being assaulted by opportunistic infections. Under normal circumstances of a healthy immune system, these infections could be readily resisted. However, as the patient’s immune system continues to deteriorate, so thus the body’s capacity to fight this otherwise common germs and bacteria.

If there is a broken tissue or sore in the mouth or where ever there is a possibility that the body fluids can be exchanged, the potential of HIV/AIDS transmission is likely to be contacted. Oral sex can transmit HIV/AIDS infection both from an infected male to an uninfected female and from an infected female to an uninfected male too. Both semen and vaginal fluid from HIV/AIDS infected persons contain a very large quantities of HIV/AIDS virus. The viral burden in these fluids reflects the amount that is found in the blood {plasma}. If the blood is dried, the virus will be dead, but if is wet, then a chance exist that it could still be active. the risk is very small but rather be safe. Always try and use gloves when you are in the situation where you might be in contact with blood or fluid. HIV/AIDS is very short lived on an inanimate surface. Consider it very infectious in wet fluid than in a dried fluid. There is so much speculation around this issues and there are no absolute answer. If there are open sore in the mouth, the chance does exist that bodily fluids can be exchanged. Saliva can carry the HIV/AIDS virus but enormous amount of saliva has to be present for an infection to occur. The options here is to dry kiss as opposed to the wet kiss but it is very sad that young people miss out of the pleasure of kissing. Kissing provides a good motivation for knowing the HIV/AIDS status of your partner.

AIDS is a disorder that comes about due to the HIV virus. There are a lot of people who have AIDS, some of which are children who were born with it. This is definitely a widespread, worldwide problem, especially in underdeveloped countries. The worldwide AIDS epidemic is alarming but there is research going on for new drugs and things that can help AIDS patients. One thing I would like to highlight the importance of AIDS prevention. The number one thing to do for AIDS prevention is to wear a condom or have your partner wear a condom. One of the biggest ways AIDS is transmitted is through sexual contact. To increase your chances of not getting AIDS, prevention is the key. Wearing a condom is the number one best way to prevent it. Other things that can help prevent you from getting AIDS is to not share needles and to wear gloves and masks if you work in the health care industry. If you are concerned about AIDS and don’t understand how it is transmitted and don’t know what to do to prevent it, it is a good idea to find out as soon as possible. If AIDS is a cause that you believe in, you don’t need to necessarily donate your time. You can donate your money. There is a need for things such as educational resources, treatments for those who have it, treatment centers, and support for families and other people who are afflicted with AIDS. Any little bit helps. You can also work to put on a charity event where people donate to the AIDS cause.

If you have AIDS, it is a good idea to weight all of your treatment options. Speak with doctors and other people who know the different things that you can do. Everything from lifestyle changes and considerations to medications should be explored. At first, it may seem overwhelming. But there are actually a lot of different things you can do to help your condition if you have AIDS. One thing that is really important is to get therapy or to join a support group. It can be tough to discover that you have it but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have choices and can’t live a normal life.

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stages of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is a virus that kills or damages cells of the body’s immune system. HIV most often spreads through unprotected sex with an infected person. AIDS may also spread by sharing drug needles or through contact with the blood of an infected person.

A blood test for HIV looks for these antibodies. If you have them in your blood, it means that you have HIV infection. People who have the HIV antibodies are called “HIV-Positive.” HIV is a virus that damages human immune cells. It weakens the immune system and leads most people to develop AIDS. Like all viruses, HIV infects the cells of a living organism in order to make copies of itself.

HIV and AIDS are some of those diseases, where precaution is the best treatment. Let’s go exploring.

HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus. It was first discovered in early 1980s. It affects a type of white blood cell (T Cell). Once this virus enters inside the body it completely covers the T Cell and start making a number of copies of itself. It fails the immune system of the body, which causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent HIV infection.

AIDS
When HIV virus weakens the immune system of the body, the person is unable to fight the infection. This life threatening infection caused by HIV is called AIDS. It spread through human. It affects the normal functioning of immune system of the body. Currently, there is no treatment for AIDS is available. However there is a significant improved HIV medication helping HIV positive people to live their life longer and healthier.

Transmission of HIV virus
* Sexual intercourse is the one of the big reasons of transmission of HIV virus. Those who practice unsafe sex, having more than one partner or involved in anal sex may be at higher risk.
* Child can get the virus from his/her HIV infected mother and as a result of breast-feeding.
* Contaminated needle is also a reason of transmission of HIV virus.

Causes and symptoms
* Other people do not see any symptoms in infected person. Even the infected person may not experience infection for many years.
* An HIV positive person may begin to feel sick. He or she can feel low-grade fever, regular cough, chronic fatigue and extreme weakness.
* Heavy sweating at night occurs
* Loss of appetite
* Chronic Diarrhea
* Trouble in remembering things

However, when the doctors examine a patient, they will go through overall symptoms of AIDS instead of any one of the findings.

Prevention
* Practice only safe sex and be monogamous.
* Condoms are successful in preventing AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). So, always use latex condom for you sexual activities.
* Never share needles.
* Blood must be tested before transfusion.

Treatment
If you think that you may have HIV infection, you must get it tested. An early treatment may postpone the development of AIDS. The treating specialist will examine you and do the blood tests. Depending on the tests, results may take from several hours to several days. You can also approach AIDA testing center.

Since at present there is no cure for AIDS, prevention becomes more important. However a group of antiviral drugs that pump the immune system have helped many people to resist HIV infections. They are living a healthy and happy life. But at all these drugs may not be referred as a cure.