In 1981 the first case of HIV/AIDS was introduced into America. At the time no one knew what was causing the disease. Today's medical field now knows much more about the effects and transmission of HIV/AIDS. Today, more than 33.4 million people worldwide are infected with the HIV virus. Although the growth is not as rapid as at the beginning of the virus, the number of people affected is still growing. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV is a virus similar to the flu or the common cold. The differentiating factor is that with the flu and cold, your body will eventually clear the virus from your system, but with the HIV virus, the immune system can't clear it. Contracting HIV means having it for life. The virus immediately begins attacking cells in the body called T cells or CD4 cells. These cells are used by the body to fight infections and diseases. When the HIV virus attacks these cells, they duplicate. Most people don't even realize that they have been infected with the HIV virus for long periods of time, sometimes for years. HIV symptoms often begin with flu-like symptoms such as swollen glands, fever, sore throat, rash, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and headache. This is called “acute retroviral syndrome”; it is the body's natural reaction to contracting the HIV virus. Symptoms can last from days to weeks. Many people infected with HIV show no signs even for 10 years or more. The next phase is the “clinical latency” phase. During this phase, infected people have no symptoms. If you do not take drugs, this phase can turn into AIDS. Once the virus attacks all T cells or CD4 cells, the infection can lead to AIDS. AIDS is... middle of the paper... More than 25 million people have died of AIDS worldwide since the beginning of history. the first cases were reported in 1981. An estimated 15,529 people diagnosed with AIDS died in 2010 alone. HIV prevention could be very simple. Abstaining from sexual activity is the number one form of prevention. Other ways include not sharing needles, using condoms, using sharps containers when disposing of needles and sharps, testing blood for transfusions, and educating people about the dangers of contact with blood. The HIV/AIDS virus is a very dangerous disease. It can affect any race, color, gender and age group. Anyone who puts themselves at risk is at risk. Medical advances and education have helped prevent the spread and severity of the virus. Scientists continually study and research in an effort to find a safe cure for the HIV/AIDS virus.