The official name for the virus that is ultimately responsible for AIDS. 

Immune System:  

The system in the body that helps resists organisms causing disease.  The t4 Helper Cell is an important and crucial component of the system. 

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus has some special characteristics: 

It can take many years from the time of infection until signs or symptoms of the illness appear.  This means an infected person can appear healthy but can pass the virus on to others.  There is no way to look at someone and know if they are carrying the virus.   

¨      HIV is found in body fluids of infected people.  Blood, semen and vaginal fluids contain larger amounts of the virus than tears and saliva.  

¨      The second most common form of transmitting AIDS is by sharing needles and syringes during intravenous drug use.  People who use cocaine (including crack, rock, etc.,) often develop such a desire for the drug that they trade sex for drugs.  People who drink alcohol or other chemicals that induce a blackout put themselves in jeopardy because they cannot remember what they did, with whom, etc. especially in sexual behavior.  Using alcohol and other drugs impairs the ability to make responsible decisions this “risky behavior’ must be avoided in this age of AIDS.