Across the world, innocent children are dying from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although it is more commonly known as a sexually transmitted disease, HIV can also be passed from mother to child. HIV is a virus that attacks T cells or CD4 cells, which are white blood cells needed by the body to fight infections and diseases (Piot and Quinn). HIV uses these cells to make copies of itself and then destroys them. Over time, HIV attacks so many T cells that the body no longer has the ability to fight infection and disease. This can lead to AIDS, which is the final stage of HIV. An example of a disease developed in people with HIV is Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP), which is a fungal infection of the lungs. Symptoms include dry cough, fever, rapid breathing and shortness of breath. Other effects of the disease include frequent colds, ear infections, stomach upset, and chronic diarrhea. HIV and AIDS first began to appear in the United States in the late 1970s. No one in government or the medical profession had any idea how this disease would change the lives and life expectancy of thousands of people across the country. Sexual lifestyles have changed completely in the United States due to the AIDS epidemic. People are no longer able to have several intimate relationships before marriage without the fear of contracting this deadly virus (Kübler-Ross 29). In the 1980s, HIV and AIDS were considered “gay diseases,” meaning they could only be contracted by gay men. This view was proven false when children were born with the disease because their mother contracted it. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV occurs when an HIV-infected woman passes the virus to her child... middle of paper.. ....-aids/living-with-hiv-aids/parenting-a-child -with-hiv.html>.Piot, Peter, M.D., Ph.D., and Thomas C. Quinn, M.D. “Response to the AIDS Pandemic – A Global Health Model.” The New England Journal of Medicine. 6 June 2013. 18 March 2014. .“Pregnancy and childbirth”. AIDS.gov. January 25, 2012. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. March 18, 2014. .Ryan, Beniamino. “Vaginal ring prevents HIV and pregnancy.” POZ. March 2014. March 18, 2014. "Two children diagnosed HIV negative at birth after very early treatment." Betablog.org. March 5, 2014. AIDS Foundation of San Francisco. March 18 2014..