• What is AIDS?

Syndrome: Joint manifestations or symptoms that characterize a disease.
Immuno: Related to the immune system or defense of our body.
Deficiency: Indicates that the defense system does not work or incorrectly.
Acquired: Not inherited but caused by a virus.

• What is the Immune System?

We live in an environment where there are germs (viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Our body defends itself from attacks by these offenders thanks to the immune system, whose main function is to destroy them. The Defense System acts primarily through white blood cells called lymphocytes. When a germ enters our body, is recognized by lymphocytes, they give warning to destroy them. Destroying can be attacked directly by antibodies. In the presence of antibodies in the body indicates whether we are or have been infected.

• Phases of AIDS virus infection:

1 .- Asymptomatic Carrier:
A person who is infected with the virus and no symptoms of the disease and the virus is dormant or asleep. The symptoms appear years later if the person develops the disease. He is a person capable of transmitting the disease to others. In this phase there are 40% of those affected.

2 .- CRS AIDS Related Complex:
People who are in this stage begin to have some symptoms of infection, the virus is active, is beginning to destroy the cells and there is a weakened immune system. The symptoms of this stage include fever, enlarged lymph nodes, etc … Some of these people will develop the final stage or AIDS. In this phase there are 30% of those affected.

3 .- AIDS:
We say that the person has AIDS when in addition to being positive, ie having antibodies specific to the virus or be a carrier, is capable of developing opportunistic infections. The opportunistic infection is caused by a pathogen that in a healthy person is unable to produce such an infection, and occurs because the immune system is weakened. It is known by this name because the organism takes the position of weakness in our defenses, ie the opportunity to invade our body. The type of disease will depend in each case, the type of opportunistic germ that affects the body. In this phase there are 30% of those affected.

• Transmission of the disease

It has been isolated in many body fluids, but of these only three virus concentration exists with sufficient capacity to produce infection, these are: blood, semen and vaginal secretions. There are three routes of transmission of the disease, they are: blood, sexual and mother-child relationship.

Transmission by blood:
1 .- Through contaminated needles:
The contaminated syringes and needles, if the exchange can be transmitted disease.

2 .- In the pregnancy / birth:
Usually tends to occur in pregnancy, but can also occur in childbirth.

3 .- Transfusion and Blood Products:
Today no such contaguio by numerous checks and to test these products.

Sexual transmission:
AIDS is considered a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). The infection is carried out through microscopic lesions or injuries that occur on the penetration and other sexual practices.

• Preventive Measures

- It never share syringes, after use is not use to use a new syringe each time.
- It is inappropriate for HIV-positive women become pregnant because of the possibility of infecting the child and if they do they can not give milk.
- Not sharing personal hygiene items that may produce blood (tooth brushes, razors, etc …)
- In the sexual practices and use perserved avoid unprotected sex.

Remember, AIDS is not spread by everyday relationships such as hugs, service utilization, kissing, cuddling, eating and drinking utensils with them, etc …