AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) is a disease caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). HIV attacks the body's immune system. When people have AIDS, their body is unable to fight diseases. They catch hold of an infection easily and since their body becomes immuno suppressed, the infection does not get cured and they die of serious diseases like cancer etc.

HIV can only be passed from person to person through body fluids, like blood, semen and vaginal fluid.

The most common ways in which the HIV is passed on to a person is as follows:

1.By having unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex with the infected person.

2.By using needles and syringes used by an infected person for injecting drugs.

3.By sharing razor blades of an infected person.

4.Mothers can pass on the disease to her child during pregnancy if she is infected with HIV.

HIV can't live very long outside the body, so you can't get it through casual contact. You can't get the virus by touching, shaking hands, hugging and swimming in a public pool or even by donating blood. You also can't get it from mosquitoes or other insect bites. Oral sex is safer than vaginal or anal sex as long as there is no intake of semen or vaginal fluid.

The best ways to protect yourself from getting infected with HIV are to:

1.Practice "safer" sex if you do have sex. Safer sex means using a condom correctly.

2.If you know the person is infected then don't have sex with that person and also avoid having multiple sex.

3.Do not share your razor blades and needles with anybody.

It is very difficult to find out whether the person is infected with HIV because it takes many years before the infected person develops any symptoms. Even a person who does not look sick can be infected with the virus so it is best to always use precautions to be safe from HIV.

Always practice safe sex that is sex between two people who are not infected with HIV. You should never allow someone else's blood, semen, urine or vaginal fluids to get into your anus, vagina or mouth.

If you are having an injection always insist on the "Single Use Injections". You should never use syringes, which are already used by someone else so that the risk is eliminated.

If you have to use syringes or needles for injecting drugs in an unavoidable circumstance, then make sure that the syringe is cleaned with bleach and water.

Razor blades are also a medium of transmission of AIDS. Always insist on usage of a new blade if you are visiting a saloon. Never use a used blade of a person who you are not sure of being infected.

The unluckiest amongst all are the new born babies of HIV infected mothers. They are born with the disease for no fault of theirs and don't survive very long. So please mothers get yourself tested for AIDS before you plan pregnancy so that babies do not become the victim of this deadly disease.