When the level of CD4 cells reaches a hazardously low level, a person's ability to fight infection and illness is weakened. The HIV virus may be spread through the transmission of bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk.

Bodily fluids from an infected person may carry the virus into the bloodstream of a non-infected person, spreading the disease to that person. The HIV virus may enter the bloodstream through one's mouth, anus, sexual organs or breaks in the skin. Pregnant women may also spread the virus to their child.

HIV may be present without substantial symptoms and some individuals that have HIV have no symptoms at all. Those individuals that do experience symptoms may feel as though they have contracted a flu-like virus a few months after infection.

As HIV turns into AIDS, patients may experience a persistent fever, swollen glands, weight loss and may consistently feel sick and tired. AIDS may also leave patients vulnerable to other infections.

Patients may exhibit dark purple skin tumors, fungal infections and tumors in the brain and spinal cord causing headaches and mental changes. Lung infections causing shortness of breath, dementia, malnutrition and diarrhea are other common symptoms.

There is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS, but many treatments are available that may help to slow down the progress of HIV or may stop its progress altogether. A combination of anti-HIV medications called HAART are often prescribed to those suffering from the disease.

Medications, along with a healthy lifestyle, may help to slow the progress of the virus, although the rate at which HIV progresses into AIDS may be different for each patient. The best way to avoid contracting HIV through sexual activity is to abstain from sexual activity until both partners have undergone STD screening tests. Avoiding contact with bodily fluid and abstaining from sharing needles with HIV positive individuals may also prevent contracting the virus.

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