AIDS is a highly dangerous infectious disease caused by infection with the AIDS virus (HIV), a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. It targets CD4 T-lymphocytes, the most important cells in the immune system, and destroys them in large numbers, causing the body to lose its immune function. As a result, the human body is susceptible to various diseases and malignant tumors, and the death rate is high. The main ways of HIV transmission are: sexual transmission, blood transmission and mother-to-child transmission. Mother-to-child transmission (mtct) is the most important route of HIV infection in children under 15 years of age. In countries where blood products are routinely screened and clean needles and syringes are widely available, mother-to-child transmission is virtually the only way for children to become infected with HIV. A pregnant woman with AIDS can transmit HIV to her fetus through the bloodstream of the placenta; or the fetus can be infected during delivery when it passes through an already contaminated vagina; or after birth, through the breast milk of a sick mother or through close contact with the mother. Therefore, if a woman infected with AIDS becomes pregnant, she will pose a catastrophic threat to her baby. How to prevent mother-to-child transmission 1. Women infected with HIV should avoid pregnancy; 2. Once pregnant, consider whether to terminate the pregnancy under the guidance of a doctor; 3. Those who choose to continue the pregnancy should take measures to interrupt transmission such as antiviral drug intervention and cesarean delivery; 4. Avoid breastfeeding the newborn after delivery. Can HIV be cured? HIV infection is not curable. However, with adherence to antiretroviral therapy and good treatment compliance, the progression of HIV in the body can be slowed to a level where it almost stops. Increasingly, people living with HIV are staying well, maintaining their ability to work and living longer, even among people living with HIV in low-income countries. WHO recommends that all people living with HIV and those at significant risk of infection receive treatment. Can I get HIV from everyday life with people living with HIV? No! There is no risk of HIV transmission including working together, studying and everyday courtesy contact including hugging, courtesy kissing, eating at the same table, touching public objects, and swimming in public pools. Infection can only occur when there is a “valid” exchange of bodily fluids with an HIV-infected person!