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Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS or
Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections in humans
resulting from the specific damage to the immune system
caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The late
stage of the condition leaves individuals prone to
opportunistic infections and tumors. HIV is transmitted
through direct contact of a mucous membrane or the
bloodstream with a bodily fluid containing HIV, such as
blood, semen, vaginal fluid, pre-seminal fluid, and breast
milk. This transmission can come in the form of anal,
vaginal or oral sex, blood transfusion, contaminated
needles, exchange between mother and baby during pregnancy,
childbirth, or breastfeeding, or other exposure to one of
the above bodily fluids.
Although treatments for AIDS and HIV exist in modern
medicine to slow the virus's progression, there is no
known cure.
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