So You Think You Know AIDS?

Now that I think about it, I really don’t know that much about HIV. Various sources have taught me that it is an immune deficiency virus that attacks white blood cells in humans, and that the disease in general is still quite young. I also know that HIV can be spread through the blood and through semen, but not through saliva. The virus is not airborne. Once infected, and person can live with HIV for years as it slowly breaks down their immune system. Once a certain point in this “breakdown” is reached, this same infected person is said to have AIDS, and usually will usually die not long after.

The majority of my knowledge on AIDS has come from classes I’ve taken in school, but outside sources have contributed to my view of it as well. For instance, the first time I ever heard the term “AIDS” was when my father explained to me what it was when I was about four years old. Later on, media sources such as TV, radio and magazines also helped inform me about it, as did many of my peers. As for the H312, I was surprised to learn how many cultures seem to not even believe in the disease at all! Therefore I am really curious to hear more about how other cultures around the world view it. In addition, I would like to learn more about recent advancements in AIDS treatments as well as how the disease takes its course (in more detail).

Knowledge is power! ;)