AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. AIDS is a disease that slowly destroys the body's immune system. Without these important defences, a person with AIDS can't fight off germs and cancers.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It kills an important kind of blood cell - the CD4T lymphocyte, or T cell. These T cells are the quarterbacks of the immune system. As they die off, the body becomes more and more vulnerable to other diseases. Germs take this opportunity to invade the body. The diseases they cause are called opportunistic infections (Ols for short). When people with HIV get these infections - or when their CD4 T-cell levels get too low - they have AIDS.

Usually it takes many years for HIV to weaken the body's immune system to the point of AIDS. Anti-HIV drugs help prevent this. Even when a person already has AIDS, the drugs can help a person get better.

AIDS is a worldwide epidemic. Most cases are in Africa, but the disease is spreading most rapidly in Eastern Europe and Asia. Even if a cure were found tomorrow, AIDS will be the most deadly disease ever to plague mankind.

Always be careful, AIDS IS spread by…

• Having sex without a condom. Vaginal and anal sex carry a high risk. The risk of getting HIV from oral sex is low.
• Sharing needles and/or syringes to inject drugs or steroids.
• A mother to her infant during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding.
• Getting a tattoo or piercing from a dirty needle.
• Transfusions, blood products or organ transplants, although this kind of transmission no longer happens in developed countries, where all donated blood and organs are tested for HIV.

You CANNOT get HIV from…

• A toilet seat or from touching an infected person.
• Being sneezed, coughed or spit on by an infected person.
• Kissing (although there is a theoretical risk from a very deep 'french' kiss).
• A mosquito, flea or tick bite.

If you need further help or advise, you can speak confidentially to one of Connexions personal advisers by phoning our free phone number: 0800 435 709