AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is the result of advanced infection by HIV, a type of retrovirus. The most noted characteristic of HIV is that it destroys the body's immune system. HIV can be contracted through direct fluid to fluid contact with an infected person. Common means of transmission are through sexual contact and intravenous drug use.NIAID: HIV Infection and AIDS: An Overview

In May 2009, scientists created a vaccine of antibody-coding genes that successfully protected monkeys against infection with simian immunodeficiency virus, the primate form of HIV. Scientists hope that this research will help further the cause of finding a vaccine or cure for HIV and AIDS in humans.Forbes: Vaccine Shields Monkeys From Simian Form of HIV (May 17, 2009)

AIDS medicines do not cure HIV infection or AIDS, but they do allow people to lead more healthy lives and to live longer. In the early phase of the epidemic in the 1980s, patient rarely live more than a few years after diagnosis.

There are three categories of medicines used for AIDS: 1.) reverse transcriptase inhibitors, 2.) protease inhibitors, and 3.) fusion inhibitors which interfere with the ability of the virus to enter the cell. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/aidsmedicines.html#cat4

Most people who have AIDS also use some form of alternative therapy. Many forms have been used, including Ayurveda, Chinese Herbalism, energy therapies, Native American healing, meditation and acupuncture. For further information, see Aids Info Net.

Early Symptoms of AIDS:

• Fever - Flu-like symptoms
• Headache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Rash

Later Symptoms of AIDS:

• Fever
• Weight loss
• Weakened immune system
• Swollen lymph notes
• Cough and/or shortness of breath http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiv-aids/DS00005/DSECTION=symptoms

In 2008, researchers Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier won the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work on HIV.

The AIDS virus is believed to have "jumped species"--been transmitted--from chimpanzees to humans. Though the transmission was thought to have taken place in the 1930s, a 2008 study of preserved human tissue from the turn-of-the-century resets the time frame to between 1884 and 1924.Reuters: Study pushes back origin of AIDS to 1908 (October 2, 2008)

AIDS is a viral infection that still does not have an approved vaccine anywhere in the world. There is no cure for AIDS. It is important to know the ways to prevent AIDS in order to protect yourself and the people around you.

The only exact way to know if you have AIDS is through a blood test. If you think you have been exposed to the AIDS virus, seek medical attention immediately.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have AIDS, please consult your doctor.