HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically targeting white blood cells known as CD4 cells. Over time, if left untreated, HIV can weaken the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight infections and diseases. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), which occurs when the immune system is severely damaged.
HIV is primarily transmitted through contact with certain bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. It is commonly spread through unprotected sex, sharing needles, or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. However, HIV cannot be transmitted through casual contact like hugging, kissing, or sharing food.

Common ways HIV is transmitted:
• Unprotected sex (anal or vaginal) with an infected person.
• Sharing needles or syringes for drug use, tattoos, or piercings.
• Mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
• Blood transfusions or organ transplants (though rare due to strict screening).

• Air, water, or insect bites.
• Saliva, sweat, or tears.
• Casual contact (hugging, shaking hands, sharing food).

STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) refers to infections that spread primarily through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. STIs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites, and some may not show symptoms immediately, making them easy to transmit unknowingly.
Common STIs:
• Bacterial: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis.
• Viral: HIV, herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B.
• Parasitic: Trichomoniasis.

ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) is the treatment for HIV that involves taking a combination of medications to suppress the virus and prevent it from multiplying. While ART cannot cure HIV, it helps people with HIV live long, healthy lives by keeping the virus at undetectable levels

• Stops HIV from reproducing, reducing the amount of virus in the body.
• Protects the immune system, allowing CD4 cells to recover.
• Prevents transmission, as people with undetectable viral loads cannot spread HIV through sex.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that primarily affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria.
Key Facts:
• Symptoms: Persistent cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue.
• Transmission: Airborne spread from person to person.
• Treatment: TB is curable with antibiotics, but drug-resistant TB remains a challenge.
• Prevention: Vaccination (BCG vaccine), early detection, and proper treatment.
TB has been a major global health concern, but efforts in prevention and treatment have saved millions of lives

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are viral infections that affect the liver, but they differ in how they spread and their long-term effects.
Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Transmission: Spread through bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids), often via unprotected sex, sharing needles, or from mother to child during birth.
• Symptoms: Fatigue, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), abdominal pain, nausea, and dark urine.
• Prevention: A vaccine is available to prevent Hepatitis B.
• Treatment: Chronic cases can be managed with antiviral medications, but there is no complete cure yet.
Hepatitis C (HCV)
• Transmission: Primarily spread through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles or receiving contaminated blood transfusions.
• Symptoms: Often silent for years, but can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
• Prevention: No vaccine exists for Hepatitis C.
• Treatment: Highly effective antiviral medications can cure Hepatitis C in most cases.
Key Facts:
• Symptoms: Persistent cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue.
• Transmission: Airborne spread from person to person.
• Treatment: TB is curable with antibiotics, but drug-resistant TB remains a challenge.
• Prevention: Vaccination (BCG vaccine), early detection, and proper treatment.
TB has been a major global health concern, but efforts in prevention and treatment have saved millions of lives

There are many misconceptions about HIV and STIs that contribute to stigma and misinformation. Here are some common wrong concepts and the truth behind them:
HIV Misconceptions
- Myth: HIV can be spread through casual contact like hugging or sharing food.
Truth: HIV is only transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk—not through casual contact.
- Myth: Mosquitoes can spread HIV.
Truth: HIV does not survive inside mosquitoes, and they do not inject blood from previous bites.
- Myth: Only certain groups (like LGBTQ+ individuals) are at risk.
Truth: Anyone can contract HIV through unprotected sex, sharing needles, or other risk factors.
STI Misconceptions
- Myth: You can tell if someone has an STI just by looking at them.
Truth: Many STIs have no visible symptoms, and the only way to know is through testing.
- Myth: Only people