HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

AIDS for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is thought that AIDS originated from central Africa. The HIV Virus which causes the disease appears to have migrated Via Haiti to the USA. 

The term acquired means become infected and immune deficiency means lack of immunity.

STIs refers to Sexually transmitted infections. 

STDs also for referred to as Sexually transmitted diseases. 

Venereal diseases (VDs) are infections that are commonly spread by sex, especially vaginal intercourse, anal sex and oral sex. 


~~~ Most STIs initially do not cause symptoms ~~~


There are more than 30 different sexually transmissible bacteria, viruses and parasites. The most common STIs they cause are gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis, chancroid, genital herpes, genital warts, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and hepatitis B infection.

Causes of AIDS.

AIDS Is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).The Virus attack the body's immune system weakening it and making it more susceptible to infections and some cancers.

It is important to realize that, infection with the HIV virus does not necessarily result in AIDS. As with other diseases, some people remain symptomless and are said to be carriers


Types of HIV Viruses

There are two major types of HIV Viruses; 
A. HIV 1.
B. HIV 2.


HIV 1 

This is the most predominant virus and it is more easily transmitted while 

HIV 2 

This occurs in a small number of people in West Africa, Angola, Mozambique and some parts of India. It is less virulent.


Where in the body can you find HIV viruses? 
The virus in the body can be found in the following body fluids: 

1. blood,
 
2. semen, 

3. vaginal fluid, 

4. tears, 

5. saliva,

6. urine,

7. breast milk. 


It is observed that semen, blood and vaginal fluids are more infectious.


Signs and symptoms of AIDS

A person infected with HIV may start to show signs of illness as from few weeks to many years.


The infected individual may experience the following signs and symptoms:

a. Tremendous loss of weight.

b. Persistent fever.

c. Chest pain.

d. Diarrhoea for no obvious cause.

e. Coughing for more than one month.

f. Shortness of breath getting worse over several weeks.

g. Itchy skin rashes.

h. Thrush in the mouth and throat.

i. Loss of hair.


Transmission.

AIDS can be transmitted through any of the following ways:

a. Sexual intercourse with an infected person.

b. Transmission from the mother to the baby during pregnancy, birth or breast feeding. 

c. Sharing sharp objects with infected people e.g. sharing needles, razor blades, toothbrushes etc.


AIDS-related complex

The infected person may exhibit a variety of conditions. Common bacterial, fungal and viral infections attack the victim. These are known as opportunistic infections. They include diseases like pneumonia, T.B, meningitis, candidiasis, cancer.
e.g. Kaposi's sarcoma, etc.