Putting It All Together

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 blood transfusion 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