HIV/AIDS - Chronic Diseases

HIV/AIDS Treatment Abroad

Understanding AIDS

AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is a disease caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The virus affects the immune system making the body an easy target for diseases and infections. AIDS is the final stage of the HIV infection, the moment when the body is too weak to fight life-threatening infections.  

HIV is a fragile virus which does not livelong outside the body. The virus can be found in the body fluids: semen, blood, anal and vaginal fluids, breast milk, but not in the urine or sweat. The most common way of getting infected with HIV is through unprotected sex.

Ways of getting infected with HIV

• Using a contaminated needle or injecting equipment
• Any type of unprotected sex and also sharing sexual toys
• From an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding
• Blood transfusion with contaminated blood