In 1981 scientists in the United States and France first recognized the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome AIDS which was later discovered to be caused by a virus called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV HIV breaks down the bodys immunity to infections leading to AIDS The virus can lie hidden in the body for up to 10 years without producing any obvious symptoms or before developing into the AIDS disease and in the meantime the person can unknowingly infect others Currently an estimated 40 million people worldwide are HIV carriers and three million a year are dying of AIDS. HIV lives in white blood cells and is present in the sexual fluids of humans Its difficult to catch and is spread mostly through sexual intercourse by needle or syringe sharing among intravenous drug users in blood transfusions and during pregnancy and birth if the mother is infected aids testing,aids treatment,hiv aids cure,hiv aids treatment,hiv prevention,hiv symptoms,hiv testing,hiv transmission,hiv treatment,hiv virus Using another persons razor blade or having your body pierced or tattooed are also risky but the HIV virus cannot be transmitted by shaking hands kissing cuddling fondling sneezing cooking food or sharing eating or drinking utensils One cannot be infected by saliva sweat tears urine or feces toilet seats telephones swimming pools or mosquito bites do not cause AIDS Ostracizing a known AIDS victim is not only immoral but also absurd.