Virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
I. Causes, Risk Factors, Role of Immune System
A. Causes
a. The primary cause of HIV is having unprotected sex with someone who is already infected.
b. Other causes are sharing needles while using drugs & bad blood transfusions.
B. Risk Factors (Controllable & Uncontrollable)
a. Controllable risk factors for HIV/AIDS is practicing safe sex, not doing drugs and not having multiple sex partners.
b. Uncontrollable risk factors are a child who contracts the disease during gestation & also unsanitary blood transfusions.
C. Role of the Immune System
a. When a person is infected, the immune system is incapable of fighting off this virus and many others thus making the person vulnerable.
b. The immune system is weakened over time and eventually becomes ineffective.