HIVAIDS What is HIVAIDS A Acquired I Immune

HIV/AIDS

What is HIV/AIDS? A – Acquired I – Immune D – Deficiency S – Syndrome http: //www. hiv 1 tat-vaccines. info/images/Virus_attacks_WBC. jpg Is a serious disease caused by a virus.

What is HIV/AIDS? H – Human I – Immunodeficiency V – Virus http: //www. international. ucla. edu/media/images/hiv_virus. jpg Causes AIDS by damaging the body’s immune system which normally protects people from disease.

HIV The HIV virus seeks out a living cell where it can reproduce. When it reproduces, it DESTROYS the cell. This weakens the immune system & leads to opportunistic diseases. HIV infects the immune system.

How HIV Destroys the Immune System Step 1: HIV Virus Step 2: HIV attached to Helper T-cell. “Attacks” Step 3: HIV Invades (enters) Helper T-Cell Step 5: T-Cell is destroyed. HIV released into blood, to attack more T-cells. Step 4: HIV Multiplies

HIV http: //www. aps. org/publications/apsnews/200705/images/aids_photo_web. jpg http: //www. labgrab. com/files/pictures/users/blogs/HIV. jpg? 0

HIV Basics

What is HIV/AIDS? People with AIDS are open to infections & cancers. • Would not be a threat to someone with a healthy immune system. These illnesses are called “opportunistic” infections and diseases.

What is HIV/AIDS? So…does a person die of AIDS? No. • They die of other diseases or illnesses they get because of their affected immune system.

Immune System http: //www. healthhype. com/wp-content/uploads/immune_system_organs. png

What is HIV/AIDS? AIDS has a very high mortality rate. More than half of all people who are diagnosed with AIDS die within two years.

What are the Symptoms? Many people infected with HIV have no symptoms and feel well. Some develop persistent symptoms, lasting 2 weeks or more, which may include: • Fever, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, diarrhea, swollen glands, dry cough, skin lesions, yeast infections, memory loss, confusion, disorientation.

What are the Symptoms? Anyone who has these symptoms for more than 2 weeks should see a doctor. • This is especially true for someone at high risk for HIV infection.

Progression of HIV • As their disease becomes more severe, they are diagnosed with AIDS. • People with illnesses are in the symptomatic phase of HIV infection. • HIV positive (asymptomatic) Do not look or feel sick, but can pass on to other people.

Who is at High Risk? Drug users who share needles & syringes. Women or men who have had unsafe sexual contact. Babies born to parents at high risk.

How Many Cases are There? AIDS represents the most severe outcome of infection with HIV. For every case of AIDS reported, there may be as many as 20 people infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS. These infected individuals may not know they are infected but can pass the virus to others.

HIV/AIDS Transmission HIV is spread by direct contact with: • Infected blood, semen and vaginal /cervical secretions. HIV is spread by: • Sexual contact with an infected person. Person may look and feel well. • Sharing needles and syringes. • HIV may also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during or immediately after pregnancy.

Can it Spread by Casual Contact? NO! HIV is NOT spread by casual contact. You CANNOT get HIV from: • Shaking hands • Touching something an infected person has • • touched. Using public toilets, telephones, swimming pools, etc. Eating in restaurants. Working or going to class with a person who is infected. Being a friend to an infected person.

Protection Abstinence: from sexual contact and from drug use is 100% safe & effective. Fidelity: when 2 people are in a relationship that is mutually monogamous (one partner) & never shared needles. • Marriage. Practice safe sex: not 100% effective. • Use prophylactic (condom)

CURE?

CURE?