AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the final and most serious stage of HIV, which severely damages the immune system.
About 40.3 million people around the world are currently living with HIV/AIDS and it is the 5th leading cause of death among people aged 25-44 in the United States. In some countries in Africa, more than 10% of the population is infected.
Currently, no cure is readily available and treatments tend to only prolong the inevitable while boasting serious side effects (if they are even available).
However, in February 2009, CNN reported that a 42-year-old HIV patient with leukemia appeared to have no detectable HIV in his blood and no symptoms after a stem cell transplant from a donor carrying a gene mutation that naturally resists HIV. (Man appears free of HIV after stem cell transplant)
Although stem cell transplants are risky, with about a third of patients dying from them since it destroys the immune system, it may be possible to develop some type of gene therapy or treatment that could be directly injected into the body. (Stem Cells Cut AIDS Virus in Patient, Ending Need for Drugs)
While this breakthrough offers a glimmer of hope for the millions already suffering, it is no replacement for prevention itself. Education, safe sex, and regular check ups are the first line of defense for stemming further infections. See HIV & AIDS Prevention for more information.
If you have a website or blog, you can win up to $500 in cash prizes while helping spread AIDS awareness by making a post about the highly underreported disease before December 15th, 2009.
Visit Health, Life & Stuff for more details about the AIDS Awareness Initiative.
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