Introduction – World AIDS Day is celebrated every year on December 1 across the world to create awareness about the dangers of AIDS that are caused by the spread of HIV infection and to show support for those individuals who are suffering from HIV and lost their lives due to AIDS. The main purpose of this global day is to share important information to prevent or lower the risk of AIDS across the world.

HIV – It stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can spread by having unprotected sex with an infected individual, using illicit injection drug use or sharing infected needles, and many more. HIV is also spread from infected mothers to kids during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or childbirth. HIV virus attacks the immune system of individuals which lowers the resistance to other infectious diseases. It means that HIV is transmitted through bodily fluids which includes

• Breast Milk
• Semen
• Vaginal and rectal fluids
• Blood

AIDS – It stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome and is one of the dreaded or life-threatening diseases which is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). It is the most advanced stage of HIV that occurs when the human body may no longer fight against the infection. AIDS lowers the natural immunity of the human body and also increases the risk of several other infectious diseases. There is no treatment for HIV/AIDS however medications may control the infection that lowers the progression of the disease.

Symptoms – There are several symptoms of HIV/AIDS are given below –

• Cough
• Headache
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Sore throat
• Rash
• Fever

Causes of AIDS – There are several causes of AIDS are given below –

• Sharing infected needles, razor blades, and many more with another person.
• Unprotected sex with an infected individual
• It may spread through body fluids including breast milk, vaginal and rectal fluid, blood, and pre-seminal fluids of an infected girl or woman.

Prevention – There are several preventive methods to lower the risk of AIDS are given below –

• Do not use or share infected needles for injections
• Use barrier methods including male or female condoms to lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections such as AIDS.
• Before making a physical relationship with any person, being tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infections.