AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease that
makes it difficult for the body to fight off infectious
diseases. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes AIDS by
infecting and damaging part of the body's defenses against
infection — its lymphocytes, which are white blood cells in the
immune (infection-fighting) system that are supposed to fight
off invading germs. HIV can be transmitted through direct
contact with the blood or body fluid of someone who is infected
with the virus. That contact usually comes from sharing needles
or by having unprotected sex with an infected person. An infant
could get HIV from a mother who is infected. HIV and AIDS can be
treated, but there are no vaccines or cures for them. What HIV
Does to the Body The virus attacks specific lymphocytes called T
helper cells (also known as T-cells), takes them over, and
multiplies. This destroys more T-cells, which damages the body's
ability to fight off invading germs and disease. When the number
of T-cells falls to a very