Face the Facts by Juluis Chege AIDS is a viral disease that renders white blood cells inactive, making the body defenseless against other diseases. The first case of AIDS was reported in 1981; and it has since spread throughout the world. In Kenya, over 1.5 million people have died of AIDS since 1984. Worse, it is estimated that 2.2 million people are presently infected. In central province, Kiambu and Thika have the highest AIDS rates, where 31% of the population is HIV positive. AIDS has an incubation period of anywhere from six months to ten years, so it can be difficult to recognize an infected individual. AIDS is most rampant among the productive age groups i.e. 15-50 years. Every day in Kenya, around 500 people die of AIDS. In 1998, there were 33.4 million people infected with AIDS worldwide, 22.5 % of whom were African, and 2 million of whom were children. How AIDS is spread sexual intercourse--this is the major mode of transmission, contributing to 80% of all AIDS cases blood transfusions piercings, tattoos, shaving, circumcision, ovulectomy pregnancy--the mother has a 40% chance of passing the virus to the unborn child breastfeeding How AIDS is NOT spread shaking hands sharing bathroom/toilet sharing utensils playing together/living together insect bites (mosquito, bedbug, etc.) Signs and Symptoms persistent diarrhea, cough or fever for more than a month skin diseases--sores, black spots, dandruff, herpes, dryness hair problems--thinning, hair loss thrush weight loss (note: the above symptoms appear with full-blown AIDS, whereas the incubating HIV virus has no outward symptoms.)