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We explain HIV and AIDS.
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The human immune system defends
the body against illnesses all the time.
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It uses guards in the blood called T-cells
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to recognize any intruders
and destroy them.
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But instead of attacking the body,
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the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV,
attacks those T-cells themselves.
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It turns them into copy machines
to make more copies of itself,
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then eventually kills
the infected T-cells.
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Without treatment, it takes 8 years
on average for a person with HIV
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to develop AIDS, or Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
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By then, there aren't enough T-cells
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to fight off various infections
and diseases.
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So it’s not the virus directly,
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but the diseases,
that are eventually fatal.
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Humans first acquired HIV
from blood contact with apes
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and gradually transmitted it
to more people through unprotected sex,
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used syringes, and childbirth.
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AIDS remained undiscovered
until a sudden outbreak among gay men
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in New York and San Francisco in 1981.
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Very quickly, people began developing
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the same unusual symptoms
around the world.
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The patients suffered from rare forms
of skin cancer, pneumonia, or thrush,
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and few survived.
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Prejudice against homosexuality
made research funding hard to get,
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and more and more people
were getting sick.
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What could be done?
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Keep the virus from spreading.
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It became clear that the best
preventive measure was safe sex,
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as condoms kept the virus
from infecting others.
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Additionally, blood banks
started testing blood,
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and new programs even distributed
clean needles to drug users.
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Finally, in 1987, the first treatment
against the virus was released,
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the ancestor of combination therapy.
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The medication still isn't a cure,
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but it keeps the virus from multiplying
and destroying the host’s immune system.
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By starting treatment early, people
with HIV can now live long, healthy lives.
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Unfortunately, many people
still lack access to medication,
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especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Over the last 30 years
about 36 million people have died,
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while 2 million more
are infected each year.
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Scientists have made a lot of progress
but are still looking for the cure.
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You too can help end the AIDS crisis.
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Play safe.
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Get tested.
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Donate to support research,
prevention, and care.
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And spread the word.