Am I Well Informed About HIV/AIDS?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that targets the body’s immune defense system, especially the CD4 T-cells that help fight infections. When these cells are attacked and reduced over time, the immune system becomes weaker, making it harder for the body to protect itself from illnesses it would normally handle with ease. HIV spreads through specific body fluids, most commonly during unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles or injecting equipment, or from an untreated mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. It cannot spread through everyday activities like sharing food, hugging, or touching surfaces - an important reminder that stigma has no place in conversations about HIV. If HIV goes untreated for a long period, it can progress to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). This is the most advanced stage, where the immune system is severely damaged, and the person becomes highly vulnerable to infections and diseases that are normally manageable. The good news is that modern medicine has changed the story. With timely testing, medical care, and antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV can stay healthy, work, love, and live long, full lives. Early awareness and consistent treatment are truly life-saving, empowering individuals to thrive with confidence and dignity.