Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to AIDS And Women.
- AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency, or immune deficiency, syndrome) is an advanced stage of a viral infection that attacks the body's disease-fighting
immune system . HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus) is the infectious agent that is the cause of AIDS.- Women can become infected with HIV through unsafe sexual contact with individuals infected with the
virus , by sharing drug-injecting equipment, or (more rarely) by receiving a bloodtransfusion from an HIV-infected blood donor. - Women can prevent HIV infection through safer sex practices and avoiding contact with blood from an infected person.
- Early symptoms of HIV infection include excessive fatigue, significant weight loss, and frequent infections.
- Gynecological problems occur more frequently and are more severe in HIV-infected women than in uninfected women.
- HIV/AIDS testing is available anonymously through clinics and requires a blood sample.
- Not everyone who has HIV infection develops AIDS.
- An HIV-infected woman can take precautions to substantially reduce the risk of infecting her baby during pregnancy or childbirth.
- A number of drugs are available to help HIV-infected individuals live longer and healthier lives
