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AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stages of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is a virus that kills or damages cells of the body's immune system.
HIV most often spreads through unprotected sex with an infected person. AIDS may also spread by sharing drug needles or through contact with the blood of an infected person. Women can give it to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth.
The first signs of HIV infection may be swollen glands and flu-like symptoms. These may come and go a month or two after infection. Severe symptoms may not appear until months or years later.
A blood test can tell if you have HIV infection. Your health care provider can perform the test, or call the National AIDS hotline for a referral at (800) 342-AIDS (1-800-342-2437). There is no cure, but there are many medicines to fight both HIV infection and the infections and cancers that come with it. People can live with the disease for many years.
'''AIDS''' ('''Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome''' or '''Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome''', rarely written '''Aids''') is a disease characterized by the destruction of the human immune system. It stands today as a global epidemic, that originated in sub-Saharan Africa during the twentieth century. Although there are treatments to hinder the progress of AIDS, there is yet no known cure or vaccine. AIDS is the result of an infection with HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV is a lentivirus, a genus of retrovirus that is characterized by long latency periods [http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/ed_resources/glossary/default.asp?id=452&letter=l] and lipid-coated outer shells [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ICTVdb/ICTVdB/61060000.htm]. HIV causes destruction of the immune system's T cells, weakening it and rendering the body unable to fight off infections and cancer. A person with HIV who has a CD4 T cell count below 200/mm or one of a list of AIDS defining illnesses, is diagnosed with AIDS. Two species of HIV infect humans: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is more virulent and more easily transmitted. HIV-1 is the source of the majority of HIV infections thoughout the world, while HIV-2 is less easily transmitted and is largely confined to West Africa. [http://www.socgenmicrobiol.org.uk/JGVDirect/18253/18253ft.htm] The World Health Organization estimated that between 2.8 and 3.5 million people with AIDS died in 2004. An estimated 60% of people with AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa, where medical procedures including blood transfusions remain sources of new AIDS cases [http://www.eldis.org/static/DOC11661.htm].
Journal of Religion and Film: Buddhism, Christianity, and The Matrix - James L. Ford discusses the dialectic of myth-making in contemporary cinema with the aid of the film.
Inteferon's Viral Vestibule - Fan resource providing related images and downloads from the Ring series (including the US remake), movie analysis aids, links, polls, the Ring community archives and the Vestibule Forum.
The Royal Handmaiden Society - Aims to shed light on a group of characters of Star Wars Episodes I-III - the young women who aid the Queen of Naboo. Includes concept art, stills and merchandise.
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How to Evaluate War Movies - The Center for Media Literacy provides FAQs, articles, and related resources to aid in the study and analysis of war films.
Because I Am - Film about a young woman living with AIDS. Film clips, credits, production notes, and media.
State of Denial - Looks at the issues affecting South Africans living with HIV and AIDS. Synopsis, characters and crew, press, and information related to the disease.
Neil LaBute - The Onion AV Club interviews the In The Company Of Men and Your Friends And Neighbors director on AIDS and beauty.
The New Generation - Andreas Riedler's feature about three young people and their different attitudes towards AIDS. Synopsis, photographs, cast and crew details, screenings, and links.