1. HIV/AIDS

2. What is HIV/AIDS? The human immunodeficiency virus
The virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Destroys a type of defense cell in the body called a CD4 helper lymphocyte
When HIV destroys these lymphocytes, the immune system becomes weak and people can get serious infections

3. How do you get HIV/AIDS?
Having unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sexual intercourse
Sharing needles, such as needles used to inject drugs, steroids, and other substances, or sharing needles used for tattooing
People who have another sexually transmitted disease (STD)  are at greater risk for getting HIV during sex with infected partners.
If a woman with HIV is pregnant, her newborn baby can catch the virus from her before birth, during the birthing process, or from breastfeeding.

4. How Do People Know They Have HIV?
people may feel and look healthy for years while they are infected with HIV
possible to infect others with HIV, even if the person with the virus has absolutely no symptoms.
person's blood lacks the number of CD4 cells required to fight infections
when immune system is overwhelmed by AIDS
extreme weakness or fatigue
rapid weight loss
frequent fevers that last for several weeks with no explanation
heavy sweating at night
swollen lymph glands

5. Why Get Tested? There is no cure for HIV.
Can take the proper steps and precautions to prevent spreading the disease.
Try to prevent their baby from being born with HIV.
Look for the antibodies that indicate HIV is present in the body
To get tested is peace of mind

6. Types of HIV Tests EIA or ELISA Tests Western Blot At-Home Tests
most common type of HIV test
tests the blood sample for HIV antibodies
Western Blot
If the EIA or ELISA test is positive
If both of these tests are positive, the person is almost certainly infected with the HIV virus.
At-Home Tests
The Home Access test is available at most local drugstores 
pricks his or her finger and puts the blood on a specially prepared card
 it is analyzed and the results are available in about 7 days

7. If Test Results Are Positive
Contact a doctor to discuss ways to slow the progress of the infection
Stop any activity that has an affect on the immune system
Have additional tests
Let all sexual partners how about the infection because they may have been exposed

8. How Can It Be Prevented?
not having oral, vaginal, or anal sex (abstinence)
always using latex condoms for all types of sexual intercourse
avoiding contact with the bodily fluids through which HIV is transmitted
never sharing needles

9. Work Cited