What is AIDS?

• AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. The HIV virus attacks T-cells that fight off infections in the bloodstream, thinking the cells are foreign bodies. The body does not produce new T-cells, so the longer a person is infected with the HIV virus, the less efficient his immune system becomes. As of 2009, there are medications to manage and slow the onset of T-cell destruction, but the onset of AIDS is unfortunately inevitable and the patient will eventually die, due to immune deficiency.
  
  

Common Ways AIDS is Transmitted

• AIDS is transmitted sexually. According to the Center for Disease Control, A person infected with HIV or AIDS, whether he knows he is infected or not, can transmit HIV by having sex with a non-infected partner. HIV will inevitably become AIDS, and this is the first way AIDS can be transmitted. AIDS can can also be transmitted if a person infected with HIV or AIDS has blood-to-blood contact with someone who is not infected. The Center for Disease Control states that "by sharing a needle and syringe to inject drugs or sharing drug equipment used to prepare drugs for injection with someone who has HIV." According to the Mayo Clinic, if a person is infected with AIDS or HIV and has a child, if that child is not treated, that child has a higher risk of HIV infection. Treatment options given to children include AZT, zidovudine, and Retrovir.
  
  

Unusual Ways AIDS Can Be Transmitted

• According to the Global AIDS Alliance, AIDS has been rarely transmitted through other methods, like open sores. If one individual who is infected with HIV or AIDS kisses another person who is not infected, and both people have open sores or cuts in their mouth, there is a small chance that the uninfected individual may become infected with HIV. According to the New York State Health Department, the once-popular "blood brothers" game children played where two best friends would prick fingers and press them together is another way AIDS can be transmitted. Although these are rare ways that AIDS can be transmitted, it is still possible and these activities should be treated with caution.