HIV and AIDS

             Primarily four bodily fluids transmit HIV. These fluids are blood, vaginal fluids, semen, and breast milk. Also sharing needles that have not been sterilized after use is another way one person's blood can come in contact with another's. Although donated blood from organization such as the American Red Cross is tested for HIV, there is a slight chance that HIV can be transmitted through blood transfusions. HIV can also be transmitted through sex. This includes oral, anal, and vaginal sex. Mothers who are infected with HIV can also transmit HIV by breastfeeding their child. A child born from a woman with HIV has a 30% chance of getting HIV, primarily through the birthing process (researchers have found that caesarean sections at birth, and the use of some drugs can lower the chances of a child being infected with HIV through birth). Although some think this, HIV cannot be transmitted through hugging, kissing, holding hands or sharing food or a drink with someone who is infected. And although HIV can sometimes live in saliva, but it would take two gallons at once, for anyone to be infected with HIV this way.
             The lifecycle of HIV is not as complex as some believe. The lifecycle of HIV begins with its infection of a vulnerable host cell by binding to the CD4 receptor (CD4 is a glycoprotein predominantly found on the surface of helper T cells) on the host cell. In order to enter a cell HIV, a coreceptor is needed. Once HIV enters the cell the nucleic acid of the virus (RNA-ribose nucleic acid), is released and undergoes reverse transcription. Once the RNA of HIV has been changed into DNA, the viral DNA enters the host cell nucleus where it integrates itself with the genetic material of the host cell. The viral DNA undergoes transcription and creates messenger RNA, which is then translated into viral proteins. The new viral RNA forms the genetic material of the next generation of viruses. The viral RNA and viral proteins assemble at the cell membrane into a new virus.