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Article: Dear Beth:
- Article from:
- The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)
- Article date:
- September 4, 1997
CopyrightCopyright 1997 The Boston Globe. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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How do you get AIDS from somebody? I mean, I know you couldn't
get it from shaking hands, or could you? And what is the difference
between AIDS and HIV?
CURIOUS
AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. This means
that the disease impairs, or harms, your powers of immunity, making
you more prone to a number of other infections. AIDS is caused by
HIV, which stands for human immunodeficiency virus.
You can get AIDS if the blood, semen, or vaginal secretions from
an infected person get into your system. This can happen through sex
or through sharing needles for using drugs. A woman infected with
HIV can pass it on to her baby during the birthing process.
Theoretically you could ...