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Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS or Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections in humans resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The late stage of the condition leaves individuals prone to opportunistic infections and tumors. Although treatments for AIDS and HIV exist to slow the virus's progression, there is no known cure. HIV is transmitted through direct contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with a bodily fluid containing HIV, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, preseminal fluid, and breast milk. This transmission can come in the form of anal, vaginal or oral sex, blood transfusion, contaminated needles, exchange between mother and baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, or other exposure to one of the above bodily fluids.
Most researchers believe that HIV originated in sub-Saharan Africa during the twentieth century;
it is now a pandemic, with an estimated 38.6 million people now living with the disease worldwide. As of January 2006, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized on June 5, 1981, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. In 2005 alone, AIDS claimed an estimated 2.4 - 3.3 million lives, of which more than 570,000 were children. A third of these deaths are occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, retarding economic growth and destroying human capital. Antiretroviral treatment reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, but routine access to antiretroviral medication is not available in all countries. HIV/AIDS stigma is more severe than that associated with other life-threatening conditions and extends beyond the disease itself to providers and even volunteers involved with the care of people living with HIV.
More on [ AIDS ]
Immune System :: Humans
Sexually Transmitted Diseases :: Sexuality
A Note to Teens Who Have Just Learned They Are HIV-Positive - Short article provides tips for coping with the news no one wants to hear.
Meta Description: [ A Note to Teens Who Have Just Learned They Are HIV-Positive, at The Body, the complete HIV/AIDS resource. ]
AIDS Handbook: An Introduction - Information about the HIV virus and its transmission; about AIDS and its treatment. Written and illustrated by Eastchester Middle School students for other students.
Meta Description: [ Information about the HIV virus and its transmission; about AIDS and its treatment. Written and illustrated by Eastchester Middle School students for other students. ]
AIDS.net.au - Information services website is offers easy to read resources, newsletter, and details about school AIDS day.
Meta Description: [ AIDS Information Services provides up to date information and resources for educators, AIDS awareness groups and concerned community groups. Hope for a positive world. ]
AIDS: Education and Prevention From the Growing Epidemic - Information for teens about AIDS and HIV. Includes how it's transmitted, how many people have died, what it's structure is, and how to help stop it from spreading.
Meta Description: [ ThinkQuest is an international competition where student teams engage in collaborative, project-based learning to create educational websites. The winning entries form the ThinkQuest online library. ]
AIDS: The War Within - Illustrated exhibit from the Museum of Science and Industry explains the AIDS lifecycle. Includes how scientists are working to stop the virus at different stages.
Can I Get AIDS? - Tells how AIDS is spread and how to protect yourself against it.
Meta Description: [ AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - a disease where the body is unable to fight off many infectious diseases as it normally could. In this article, find out how AIDS is spread and how to protect yourself against it. ]
Dying Young: The Fight Against Aids - Article explores why so many young people are falling victim to this fatal but preventable disease.
HIV and AIDS - Explains what the disease is, how people know they have it, and how young people can avoid it. From TeensHealth.
Meta Description: [ AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - a disease where the body is unable to fight off many infectious diseases as it normally could. In this article, find out how AIDS is spread and how to protect yourself against it. ]
HIV Infection: Get the Facts - Online information for HIV peer educators, HIV positive youth, young gay men, and all interested in HIV and youth.
Meta Description: [ Advocates for Youth is dedicated to creating programs and advocating for policies that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. ]
Kids Talk AIDS - Kids, youth, parents and professionals living with and affected by HIV /AIDS talk with each other.
Meta Description: [ Kids, youth, parents & professionals living with and affected by HIV /AIDS talk with each other ]
Life Cycle of HIV Infection - Article and animation showing how HIV infects cells.
Metro TeenAIDS - Organization dedicated to preventing HIV infection among young people in the Washington DC metro area. Site includes facts about the disease and testing for it.
NOVA Online: Surviving AIDS - Interactive activities show how the human immune system works, while QuickTime video clips trace the progression of the AIDS virus. Also looks at the worldwide impact of the disease, as well as the researchers who are searching for a cure. From PBS.
Meta Description: [ NOVA Online presents Surviving AIDS ]
Positive Youth Outreach - Free peer support, services and education for HIV+ youth. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and the AIDS Committee of Toronto.
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Spread No Evil - Information includes definitions, prevention tips, and disease progression. Offers a glossary and universal precautions links.
Staying Alive - Information about HIV and AIDS for young people, presented by MTV and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In English, French and Spanish.
TeenAIDS - Explains this program of training and education for teenagers to enable them to pass on medically-sound information about HIV/AIDS to their friends and peers. Includes details of background research.
TeensHealth: How Do People Get AIDS? - Find out how AIDS is spread and how to protect yourself against it.
Meta Description: [ AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - a disease where the body is unable to fight off many infectious diseases as it normally could. In this article, find out how AIDS is spread and how to protect yourself against it. ]
Thinkquest: All About AIDS - Bilingual site in English and Spanish by 7th and 8th grade students. A look at the facts and myths. Includes history, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. A winning entry in the October 2003 Thinkquest competition.
ThinkQuest: Kids, All You Need to Know about AIDS - Explains the disease and tells about the latest treatments. Also includes tips for staying safe.
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