Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, AIDS, is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus ,HIV, in humans, and similar viruses in other species. The late stage of the condition leaves individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections and tumors. Although treatments for AIDS and HIV exist to slow the virus' progression, there is no known cure. HIV are transmitted through direct contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with a bodily fluid containing HIV, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, preseminal fluid, and breast milk. This transmission