Aids is a disease, which seriously weakens body's natural immune system. This very disease is doesn't cause the death itself, but it makes the body unable to defend itself from any sickness. When you have Aids, even the flu or cold may cause your death.
The reports of WHO (World Health Organization) tell that there are more than 10 million people in the world, who have HIV- the virus, which leads to Aids. About 400 thousand people suffer from the advanced form of the disease. In five years time it may happen that the next million of people will get infected. Aids exists on all continents and in all countries of the world. However, there are places, where it is extremely quickly expanding. These are South America and Africa.
The scientists from the entire world have been working on discovering the cure against Aids. They managed to establish that the virus invades cells of the body and destroys them by coping the virus to the cell's genetic code. An invaded cell dies and the virus may multiply and kill the next one.
People may get infected with the virus by sexual intercourse with the people having the virus. It happens often, that they get it, when many people use one needle to injections. Also, when a sick woman gets pregnant, the virus may pass to the baby.
There exist many stereotypes concerning Aids. Many people think that they may get infected by touching a sick person or by living near him/her. They don't want to work or go to school with people having Aids. Their fears cannot be explained rationally. It is impossible to get infected with the virus without having contact with the person's blood or sperm. There are thousands of people, who look after the sick people and they stay healthy. It seems very important to educate people about Aids and help them understand, how difficult is it to live with this disease. We have to believe, that soon the cure for Aids will be found.
