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HIV/AIDS. “When one member suffers, all members suffer” 1 Corinthians 12:26. The AIDS pandemic. Young people (15-25) are the fastest-growing population of newly-infected persons living with HIV/AIDS in the world
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HIV/AIDS “When one member suffers, all members suffer” 1 Corinthians 12:26
The AIDS pandemic • Young people (15-25) are the fastest-growing population of newly-infected persons living with HIV/AIDS in the world • Over 33 million people are currently infected in the world today, 2.6 million will be infected this year and 1.8 million will die from the disease. • Over 15 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS – it is estimated that a child loses a parent to AIDS every 14 seconds. • The orphans from the AIDS pandemic are much more at risk of becoming victims of child labourand other abuses – and are more at risk of being infected themselves. • More than 2 000 children are infected daily (90% from parent-to-child transmission) • What solutions do you think we, as Christians, are called to find?
The Catholic response to AIDS • The Catholic response is a response of solidarity, or togetherness, with those who suffer. • Over 25% of all clinics to treat people affected with HIV/AIDS worldwide are Catholic-run. • There is a connection between: • HIV and poverty – how can we create justice for the poor and sick? • third-world debts and rates of HIV infection/treatment. This makes the vulnerable more so. • In general the Catholic response is: Pray, Learn and Act. Express your opinions to the gov’t.
What is HIV/AIDS • A – acquired • I – immune • D – deficiency • S – syndrome • A disease state caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that decreases the functioning of the immune system. • When people are immune deficient, they are more susceptible to certain severe infections and cancers.
How the immune system works • Cold • Virus invades body • Person gets a cold • Immune system makes antibodies • Virus destroyed by antibodies • Immune system unharmed • Person becomes well • HIV disease • Virus invades body • Flu-like symptoms may appear • Immune system makes antibodies • HIV takes over these cells and begins reproducing • Immune system breaks down • Person gets more and more ill
How is HIV transmitted? • By sexual contact where bodily fluids are exchanged with an HIV infected partner • By sharing needles with an infected person when injecting drugs • From an infected mother to her baby – during pregnancy, during delivery or breastfeeding • Through contaminated blood/blood products (before November 1985)
How is HIV not transmitted • Holding hands • Kissing • Doorknobs, telephones, table surfaces, toilet seats etc. • Sneezing, coughing, tears, sweat, saliva • Insect or animal bites • Sharing food or drinks • Swimming pools • If fluids are not exchanged, activities are considered low risk for HIV
HIV and the immune system • White blood cells protect against and fight disease. • They create antibodies that fight disease-causing organisms • They also create suppressor cells - these work to stop the fight against invading germs • In a healthy person, antibodies outnumber suppressor cells – in a person with HIV, there are more suppressor cells • This weakens the immune system and makes it ineffective • AIDS patients eventually die from opportunistic infections • Signs of HIV infections: • Unexplained persistent fatigue • Fever, chills, weight loss, swollen glands, persistent ill health
HIV infection timeline Detectable antibodies ..…………………………………………………………………………………………………........... Infected Symptoms AIDS with HIV Able to infect others
Statistics • Number of positive HIV test reports– between 2000 and 2700 per year in the past 15 years. • Currently the highest rate of infection is in Saskatchewan, followed by NWT, Ontario and Manitoba. • Numbers of cases are highest in Ontario, Quebec, Alta and BC (together make up 93% of the cases in Canada) • In 2011: • 1658 adult men tested positive for the first time • 505 adult women.. • Risk categories include men who have sex with men, heterosexuals and intravenous drug users (in that order) • AIDS rates have gone down dramatically – good access to treatment in Canada
Video • The Catholic Church and Global HIV & AIDS, Part 1: Overview • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE93x9_LJzY • The Catholic Church and Global HIV & AIDS, Part 6: Orphans and Vulnerable Children • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do57IIcnUfA