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AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which damages the body's defence system.
People infected with HIV usually live for years without any signs of the disease. They may look and feel healthy, but they can still pass on the virus to others.
AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection. People who have AIDS grow weaker because their bodies lose the ability to fight off illnesses. In adults, AIDS develops 7 to 10 years after infection, on average. In young children it usually develops much faster. AIDS is not curable, but new medicines can help people with AIDS live healthier lives for longer periods.
In most cases, HIV is passed from one person to another through unprotected sexual intercourse, during which the semen, vaginal fluid or blood of an infected person passes into the body of another person.
HIV can also pass from one person to another through the use of unsterilized needles and syringes (most often those used for injecting drugs), razor blades, knives or other instruments for injecting, cutting or piercing the body, and through transfusions of infected blood. All blood for transfusions should be screened for HIV.
It is not possible to get HIV/AIDS from touching those who are infected. Hugging, shaking hands, coughing and sneezing will not spread the disease. HIV/AIDS cannot be transmitted through toilet seats, telephones, plates, glasses, eating utensils, towels, bed linen, swimming pools or public baths. HIV/AIDS is not spread by mosquitos or other insects.
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