The killer disease AIDS is sending shock waves throughout the world. Everyday more and more people are becoming victims of this menace. No remedy has been discovered so far that can cure this disease. The spread of this disease has grave social implications. If uncontrolled the disease is likely to wipe out a large portion of mankind.

AIDS means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The disease is caused by the Human Immune Deficiency virus (HIV). This is a retro-virus that attacks the immune system of man. It damages the white cells. This results in the breakdown of the resistance of the body to any infection. As such even a minor infection in a man with HIV can cause death. Once it was thought that the virus lived in the circulatory system of man. But now scientists know that it resides in the lymph nodes.

HIV’s mode of transmissions is now well known. It has been isolated from blood , semen, vaginal and cervical fluids.

These help in the transmission of the virus. It is clear that the virus is transmitted through sexual intercourse. However the virus is also present in saliva and urine also. Homosexuals from the highest risk group. Transmission can also occur through heterosexual contact. This is the chief mode of transmission in India. The virus can also transmitted through blood transfusion. An infected mother can make her child a victim. Intravenous drug addiction is another source of infection.

AIDS is detected through two types of tests. One of these is ELISA test. Western blot test is used to confirm the HIV cases. There is no specific drug that cures the disease. But a combination of ‘pills’ discovered of late, prolongs the life of an AIDS victim. These pills have to be taken regularly. Otherwise the treatment becomes useless.

AIDS was first reported in the USA 15 years ago. It has steadily spread to many countries. The underdeveloped and the developing countries are large affected. India is no exception. The country now has a very large number off HIV cases(nearly 4 million out of the global figure of 30 million). A number of factors led to the quick spread of this disease. A large section of our population is uneducated. Red light areas are growing. People who resort to extra marital sex do not adopt safety measures. Many of our hospitals and blood banks do not have the equipment to test the HIV. All these cause the spread of AIDS.