Over the years, HIV and AIDS has been a growing epidemic. More and more people are being diagnosed with these life-threatening viruses. HIV, which stands for human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. In other words, it interferes with the body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease (“HIV/AIDS,” 2014). AIDS, which stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the last stage of HIV infection. Like in the name, AIDS is acquired; meaning it is not inherited, but is something obtained. People with HIV usually get AIDS in the last stage of the infection (2014). Many people with both of these viruses cannot live a healthy life due to their weak immune system, thus leading to death. This is …show more content…

These symptoms can be weight loss, fevers, fatigue, diarrhea, and eventually neurologic disorder (2013). Over a period of time, the symptoms will get worse and worse and will lead to death. As stated above, HIV and AIDS is a life-threatening virus and disease that can lead to death. Sadly, there is no vaccine to prevent or cure, but there are many ways to prevent the transmission. The first step in preventing yourself and others from the infection is so become educated about the subject. You first need to know what exactly it is and what symptoms to look for. Also, you will need to know the correct ways to prevent yourself from transmitting the disease. The transmission of the infection is mostly through sexual contact. So the first step in prevention is to tell or ask your sexual partners if they have been tested positive or negative for HIV. By doing this, you can protect yourself or others from the infection. The second step of prevention is to always use a condom when you have sex. Like stated before, HIV can be transmitted through the exchange of body fluids. The condom will act as a barrier between partner’s genitals and make sure that majority of the body fluids are not exchanged and make contact to the mucus membrane. Sexual contact is not the only way you can transmit the disease; using dirty needles is another way. To prevent the spread of the virus through needles, always use a clean needle and dispose of it properly.