Final answer:
The cause of AIDS is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which is transmitted through infected body fluids and attacks the immune system's helper T cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cause of HIV
The cause of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus primarily attacks cells of the immune system, specifically the helper T cells, which are crucial for coordinating the body's response to infection. The transmission of HIV comes about through contact with infected body fluids, which include blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Sexual contact and sharing needles for intravenous drug use are common routes of transmission. While there is no cure for HIV, advances in medical treatments have allowed for the management of the virus, significantly prolonging the lives of those infected. In areas such as sub-Saharan Africa, the pandemic is most severe, and the availability of treatment and prevention strategies is critically lacking.