Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome AIDS or Aids is a set of symptoms and infections resulting from the damage to the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus HIV This condition progressively reduces the effectiveness of the immune system and leaves individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections and tumors HIV is 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 can involve anal vaginal or oral sex blood transfusion contaminated hypodermic needles exchange between mother and baby during pregnancy childbirth or breastfeeding or other exposure to one of the above bodily fluids This book presents new and important research in the field from around the globe