Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
is the virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV causes
the failure of the immune system in the host person to such a level
that it cannot defend itself from opportunistic infections and cancers.
There are multiple ways for the transmission of this virus. HIV
infection is caused by transmission of infected blood, unprotected sex
with multiple partners, infected needles, breast milk and from pregnant
mother to the unborn child. Its been 30 years since the inception of
this disease, and unfortunately there is still no permanent cure of this
disease. The only available medicines are antiretroviral medicines that
are used to keep the viral load low in the blood stream and allow the
immune system to rebuild itself. There are many myths about the
transmission of HIV. HIV cannot be transmitted to any other person
through sneezing, shaking hands, sharing clothes or by any casual
contact with the infected user.
