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AIDS: Full Form, Stages of HIV, Causes, and Preventions

By Anushree Goswami Last updated : December 9, 2023

AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

AIDS is an abbreviation of "Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome".

• Acquired: It signifies that an individual can get infected with it.
• Immune Deficiency: It signifies the weakness of the body's immune system.
• Syndrome: It signifies a group symptom that creates a disease.

A disease caused by the infection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The primary indication of this disease may be a concise period of influenza-like illness. AIDS is a disease that may develop and grow for an extensive period of time devoid of any indications.

As the infection develops and grows, it obstructs further and further with the immune system and makes the infected person too feeble and as a consequence vulnerable to widespread infections like Tuberculosis, tumors, asthma, etc.

Stages of HIV

The HIV infection is classified into three stages, which comprises:

• Acute HIV Infection
• Chronic HIV Infection
• AIDS/ Advanced Infection

Cause behind HIV infection

HIV can be originated in saliva, tears, blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, and nervous system tissue. Nevertheless, only the HIV that originated in blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk has been originated to spread the infection to others.

Aids can be passed on from one individual to another individual in a variety of manners:

• By unprotected intercourse with an infected person
• By Blood transfusion
• From mother to child (By birth), it can also be extended by breastfeeding
• Through oral sex, in various cases it can be probable by profound kissing
• By the use of hypodermic needles
• Artificial insemination with signified semen infected with HIV
• Through a donated organ received from an infected donor

Symptoms of AIDS

• Quick weight loss
• Frequent fever or tremendous night sweats
• Sore throat
• Excessive tiredness, Muscles and joint pain

Prevention of AIDS/HIV

• Stay away from sexual intercourse with any of the following:
  
  • People infected or suspected to be infected with AIDS
  • Multiple partners
  • A person who has multiple partners
  • A person who takes IV drugs
• Do not use intravenous drugs.
• Keep away from revelation to blood, when the HIV condition of the bleeding person is unknown.
• The HIV-positive person should not donate blood, plasma, sperm, and body organs.
• Safe sex practices like the use of latex condoms should be adopted.