Question

What does AIDS stand for? How is this disease transmitted? Suggest two methods for its prevention. List any three high risk groups of people.

Answer 1

Hint: AIDS is a disorder of the immune system (cell-mediated) of the body. In this disease helper T-cells (stimulate antibody production through B-cells) number reduces.

Complete step by step answer:
AIDS- acquired immune Deficiency syndrome. This disease is caused by a virus called HIV (human immunodeficiency Virus). AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV.
Stages of HIV:
- Stage 1- acute stage.
- Stage 2- chronic stage.
- Stage 3- AIDS.
Transmission of HIV-
1. Through sex: common route of transmission.
2. Sharing needles, syringes, items for injection drug use.
3. Sharing equipment of tattoos without sterilizing.
4. Pregnancy, labor or delivery from women to her baby.
5. During breastfeeding.
6. Exposure to blood of someone living with HIV.
7. Blood transfusion, organ or tissue transplant.
8. Bitten by a person with HIV.
9. Contact between broken skin, wounds of HIV patients.
Methods of prevention:
- Avoid sex with multiple partners. Develop a sexual relationship with a same partner and is not an intravenous drug user.
- If you are an intravenous drug user, always use a sterile and unused needle for injection.
High risk groups of people are:
- Repeated blood transfusions.
- Multiple sex partners.
- Intravenous drug abusers.

Note: HIV cure is not possible but it can be controlled. However, the treatment with antiretroviral therapy can increase the CD4 count to a level where they are considered to no longer have AIDS.