HIV and AIDS - We are Close to a Cure :: STD, HIV, AIDS

HIV and AIDS - We are Close to a Cure AIDS is a major disease that has threatened the world's population but many scientists believe that a cure is in sight. These scientists say they have developed a vaccine that will cure a dying AIDS patient. They also believe that have created a vaccine that will prevent a person from contracting the virus. AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Acquired stands for that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease causing agent in this case, HIV. Immunodeficiency means that the disease is characterized by a weakening of the immune system. Syndrome means a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease. In AIDS this can include the development of certain infections and cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person?s immune system (What is AIDS). HIV is transmitted in many different ways. It can be spread by sexual contact with an infected person, or by sharing needles. It is less common now because blood is now screened for the virus through blood transfusion. Babies that are born to HIV infected women may become infected before or during birth or through breast-feeding. Doctors and nurses have also been infected at the work place. They can be infected by being stuck with a needle containing HIV-infected blood. Sometimes workers can get infected through open wounds. There is only one case in the U.S. in which a patient has been infected by the worker (HIV and Its Transmission). This involved one infected dentist infecting six of his patients. Some people fear that HIV might be transmitted in other ways, but there is no proof to support it. If HIV was being transmitted through other common ways such as through the air, water, or insects the cases of HIV and AIDS cases would be much higher than they already are (HIV and Its Transmission). Many people are ashamed to admit to family and, loved ones that they are infected or may be infected. For example, Monica was fifteen years old when she became infected. She wrote about how she became infected ?My best friend who is a male has AIDS and we were really close so one night we experimented and after the fact that we did it he told me he had AIDS. I was so angry at him and scared.