Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome AIDS Acquired — because it is a condition that has to be contracted. Immune — because it affects the body’s immune system, the part of the body that fights off diseases. Deficiency — because it makes the immune system stop working properly. Syndrome — because people with AIDS experience a number of different symptoms and opportunistic diseases. Disease NOT Syndrome A syndrome is commonly used to refer to a collection of symptoms that do not have an easily identifiable cause. HIV is a more current name for the condition.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV Sexual contact - unprotected vaginal or anal sex. Only condoms provide 'all-in-one' protection from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV. Direct inoculation of the virus - for example infection through contaminated needles Contaminated blood products / transplanted organs. In the US all donated blood has been tested for HIV since 1985 An infected mother may sometimes pass the virus to her developing fetus during the birth or breast milk

21 year-old Nushawn Williams was accused and later convicted of infecting at least 13 women and girls with HIV. "I was not the type of individual that would go around sleeping with women knowing that I was HIV positive," says Williams on 'THS Investigates Dating Nightmares'. "I didn't know I was HIV positive.“ Williams had identified 48 sexual partners to Chautauqua County health officials. Of those 48, 41 were eventually tested. Thirteen turned up positive, six got pregnant -- and at least one baby was born HIV positive. Dating Nightmare!

1: I can get HIV by being around people who are HIV-positive. The evidence shows that HIV is not spread through touch, tears, sweat, or saliva. Top 10 Misconceptions 2: I don't need to worry about becoming HIV positive -- new drugs will keep me well. Yes, antiretroviral drugs are getting better and extending lives of many HIV- positive. But many of the drugs are so expensive and have harsh side effects. THERE IS NO CURE 3: I can get HIV from mosquitoes. Several studies, show no evidence to support this. When insects bite, they do not inject the blood of the person or animal they have last bitten. Also, HIV lives for only a short time inside an insect. 4: I'm HIV-positive -- my life is over. In the early years of the disease epidemic, the death rate from AIDS was extremely high. But today, antiretroviral drugs allow HIV-positive people -- and even those with AIDS -- to live much longer.

5: AIDS is genocide. Higher rates of infection in minorities populations may be due, in part, to a lower level of health care. 6: I'm straight and don't use IV drugs -- I won't become HIV-positive. Most men do become HIV-positive through sexual contact with other men or through injection drug use. However, about 16% of men and 78% of women become HIV-positive through heterosexual contact. 7: If I'm receiving treatment, I can't spread the HIV virus. Research shows, that the virus is still "hiding" in other areas of the body. It is still essential to practice safe sex so you won't make someone else become HIV- positive. 8: My partner and I are both HIV positive -- there's no reason for us to practice safer sex. Practicing safer sex -- wearing condoms or using dental dams -- can protect you both from becoming exposed to other (potentially drug resistant) strains of HIV. Top 10 Misconceptions

9: I could tell if my partner was HIV-positive. You can be HIV-positive and not have any symptoms for years. The only way for you or your partner to know if you're HIV-positive is to get tested. 10: You can't get HIV from oral sex. It's true that oral sex is less risky than some other types of sex. But you can get HIV by having oral sex with either a man or a woman who is HIV-positive. Always use a latex barrier during oral sex Top 10 Misconceptions

Link to a running list of famous alive and dead who had/has HIV Campaign against AIDS The world has more notably started taking a stand in the fight against aids. Awareness s is all over the media. Celebrities are more open with telling the world

Much more vivid than US ads

MTV has really done its part to pushed safe sex and HIV testing After the death of rapper Easy E they began airing commercials all about the Aids epidemic MTV Visual AIDS: MTV Awareness Campaign There’s a few things MTV wants you to know: 1) Spoiled adolescents having birthday parties is good watchin’. 2) With the right wardrobe and attitude makeover, even G’s can become Gents. 3) You don’t love your male friends as much Brody Jenner does. 4) You might get AIDS.

launched a new sepia-toned AIDS awareness campaign By Loducca in Sao Paulo,Loducca The message “Except for AIDS, nothing has changed.” The print campaign focuses on a series of Victorian three-ways performed MTV- Brazil, South America

Know your status- get tested  Guiding Right, Inc NE 10th Street, Suite A-111 Midwest City, OK (405)  RAIN Oklahoma Regional AIDS Intercommunity Network 600 NW 23rd Street, Suite 101 Oklahoma City, OK (405)  Community Health Centers, Inc N.E. 36Th Street Oklahoma City, OK Phone:  Morton Comprehensive Health Services, Inc North Lansing Ave Tulsa, OK Phone:  H.O.P.E., Inc. Health, Outreach, Prevention, Education 2445 South Yale Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma (918) 749-TEST (8378)  OSU Internal Medicine Specialty Services 635 W. 11th Street Tulsa, OK (918)