HIV AIDS Answers to your questions What is

HIV/ AIDS Answers to your questions

What is HIV n HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Virus The virus attacks the T-Cells in the immune system n The immune system eventually becomes degraded and the body cannot defend itself from other viruses n

What is AIDS? n AIDS- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome When the immune system no longer works properly n Someone with AIDS will eventually die from a different virus, bacteria or fungal infection, such as the common cold or flu n

HIV transmissions to humans HIV was transmitted to humans from chimpanzees. SIV- Simian Immunodeficiency Virus similar disease in other primates During hunting in Africa the virus entered the body of a human and changed, this enabled the virus to attack the human immune system- HIV

How long does it take for HIV to become AIDS n n It can take 8 -11 years from the time of infection to having symptoms of AIDS Varies greatly from person to person based on basic health and behaviors

What are symptoms of AIDS? n n There are NO symptoms of HIV When you have AIDS you have symptoms of a suppressed immune system

What is the life cycle of HIV?

n There are several steps in the HIV life cycle. n 1. Free virus circulates in the bloodstream. n 2. HIV attaches to a cell. n 3. HIV empties its contents into the cell (infects the cell). n 4. The HIV genetic code (RNA) is changed into DNA by the reverse transcriptase enzyme. n 5. The HIV DNA is built into the infected cell's DNA by the integrase enzyme. n 6. When the infected cell reproduces, it activates the HIV DNA, which makes the raw material for new HIV viruses. n 7. Packets of material for a new virus come together. n 8. The immature virus pushes out of the infected cell in a process called "budding. " n 9. The immature virus breaks free of the infected cell. n 10. The new virus matures: raw materials are cut by the protease enzyme and assembled into a functioning virus.

How do you get it? n The virus gets into your body from contact of fluids (blood, sexual fluids, breast milk) Sexual Intercourse, Oral Sex, Anal Sex n Needle Sharing n Transfusions n From Mother to Child n

How do you get rid of it? n n YOU CAN’T!!!!!!! HIV can be treated Antiviral Treatments n There is not a vaccine nor a cure! n New drugs are very expensive n Virus is constantly evolving n

List of some of the antiviral drugs n n n n n n AZT (ZDV, zidovudine, Retrovir®) dd. I (didanosine, Videx®) dd. C (zalcitabine, Hivid®) d 4 T (stavudine, Zerit®) 3 TC (lamivudine, Epivir®) Abacavir (Ziagen®) Tenofovir (Viread®) Combivir® (AZT/3 TC combination) Trizivir® (AZT/3 TC/Abacavir combination) Emtricitabine (FTC, Emtriva®) Nevirapine (NVP, Viramune®) Delavirdine (DLV, Rescriptor®) Efavirenz (EFV, Sustiva®) Saquinavir (SQV, Invirase® and Fortovase®) Indinavir (IDV, Crixivan®) Ritonavir (RTV, Norvir®) Nelfinavir (NFV, Viracept®) Amprenavir (APV, Agenerase®) Lopinavir (LPV, Kaletra®) Atazanavir (TAZ, Reyataz®) Fosamprenavir (908, Lexiva®) Enfuvirtide (T-20, Fuzeon®)

Side effects of drugs n Fatigue: Most people with HIV feel tired at least part of the time. It's important to find the cause of fatigue and deal with it. n Anemia can cause fatigue. Anemia increases your risk of getting sicker with HIV infection. Routine blood tests can detect anemia, and it can be treated. n Digestive Problems: Many drugs can make you feel sick to your stomach. They can cause nausea, vomiting, gas, or diarrhea. Home remedies include: n n n n Instead of three big meals, eat small amounts, more often. Eat mild foods and soups, not spicy. Ginger ale or ginger tea might settle your stomach. So can the smell of fresh lemon. Don't skip meals or to lose too much weight! Be careful with over-the-counter or prescription nausea drugs. They can interact with HIV medications. Gas and bloating can be reduced by avoiding foods like beans, some raw vegetables, and vegetable skins. Diarrhea can range from a small hassle to a serious condition. Tell your doctor if diarrhea goes on too long or if it's serious.

Symptoms cont. n n Skin Problems: Some medications cause rashes. Most are temporary, but in rare cases they indicate a serious reaction. Talk to your doctor if you have a rash. Other skin problems include dry skin or hair loss. Moisturizers help some skin problems. Neuropathy is a painful condition caused by nerve damage. It normally starts in the feet or hands. Mitochondrial Toxicity is damage to structures inside the cells. It might cause neuropathy or kidney damage, and can cause a buildup of lactic acid in the body. Bone Problems have recently been identified in people with HIV. Bones can lose their mineral content and become brittle. A loss of blood supply can cause hip problems

Symptoms cont. n Lipodystrophy includes fat loss in arms, legs and face; fat gain in the stomach or behind the neck; and increases in fats (cholesterol) and sugar (glucose) in the blood. These changes may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Where can you get tested? n www. gettestedchicago. com

Additional Information n The following website includes a comprehensive database of information regarding all aspects of HIV/AIDS n www. avert. org