AIDS l Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome l 1982

AIDS l Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. l 1982 – infests homosexual community l By 1997 6 ½ million related deaths l How educated are you? l How would you react if you tested positive?

HIV - AIDS l HIV-Human Immunodeficiency syndrome. l AIDS is the final stage of HIV l Transmitted – Semen-Vaginal Secretions- Blood – Breast Milk – Sharing Needles – Blood Transfusions

Immune System l Lymphocytes made in Bone Marrow (White Blood Cells) l Helps body fight disease l B-Cells – T-Cells l T-cells stimulate B-cells to produce antibodies

HIV - AIDS l HIV enters blood stream and attacks Tcells. l HIV reproduces its genetic material infests the body which makes it hard to fight off any illnesses. l Can you die from HIV?

HIV TESTING l 2 weeks to 6 month window where disease may not show up on test. l ELISA test screens for presence of HIV antibodies in Blood. l Followed by confirmatory test. l Western blot-IFA-RIA l Asymptomatic

Related illness l AIDS opportunistic illnesses l Bacterial infections l Fungal infections l Pneumonia l Dementia and nerve damage

Research and Treatment l HIV enters body copies itself at a rate of 1 billion cells per day. l Immune System is weakened by fighting this infection. l Treatment is geared toward fighting virus as soon as it enters body

Research and Treatment l Protease Inhibitors interfere with the ability of HIV to reproduce. l Combined with antiviral medications like AZT 3 TCreduced amount of HIV in individuals.

Research and Treatment l Retrovirus-difficult to combat l $ - Expense of Many Drugs l Lack of $ for research l Lack of animal models