HIV/AIDS

1. HIV/AIDS A powerpoint presentation developed by the members of the Peace Corps HIV/AIDS GIG Please edit as needed, but please credit the GIG..thanks!

2. What is HIV? HIV-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Human-It effects the human body Immunodeficiency- It weakens the immune system Virus-Mostly disease-causing “organisms” And it looks like…..

3. Pic: drawing of HIV particle

4. Pic: HIV infected cell..B &W

5. ? What is your Immune System

6. Immune System • Immune System- the body’s response system to keep out invaders, such as viruses. • Contains many different types of cells • Located mainly in the blood. • Releases antibodies when a virus is detected • These antibodies “stick” to the virus, flagging the virus to be eaten, literally! • CD4 (T cells) are part of your immune system and destroy viruses that attack your body.

7. How the Immune System works

8. HIV Inside The Cell When an HIV virus finds a CD4 cell, it attaches itself to the cell and enters it. Once inside it either remains dormant or begins replicating . If the virus replicates… • the CD4 cell stops functioning as an immune response cell. • Viruses leave the cell and infect other CD4 cells • An HIV viruses can replicate itself a billion times a day. Once a person is infected with HIV, they will have the virus for life.

9. HIV Inside The Cell

10. Difference between HIV and AIDS HIV: the virus that causes the syndrome called AIDS AIDS: • Clinical definition: a person has less than 200 CD4 cells per ml of blood • often diagnosed with one or more Opportunistic Diseases

11. HIV Transmission • HIV is spread through the following body fluids. • Blood • Semen and”pre-cum” • Vaginal fluids • Breast Milk • The most common way people pass on HIV. • Unprotected sex • Reusing and sharing needles • Mother to child

12. Testing and Signs of HIV • With in the first three weeks of getting infected tests can show negative results because the antibodies have not formed yet. • Incubation period- This can take several years- the average is 10 years for adults. From the time a person is infected to when they show symptoms of HIV… • An infected person might have flu like symptoms but these will disappear with in the first few weeks. • Some infected persons never become symptomatic, but are transmitters of HIV

13. The Current Situation in Thailand Total population: 65.5 million (July 2008) People living with HIV/AIDS: 610,000

14. Current Situation • People living with HIV/AIDS (2007): 610,000 • Adults: 596,000 • 58% Men • 42% Women

15. The Current Situation Estimated adult HIV prevalence (2007): 1.4% (1 in every 100) Estimated number of AIDS deaths in 2007: 31,000 Around 80% of Thailand’s HIV infections (occur through heterosexual sex.

16. The Current Situation There is evidence that HIV is spreading largely among spouses and partners of clients of sex workers, and among injecting drug users. HIV prevalence in Thailand remains the highest in the region.

17. 1. Injecting drug users Infection rates 35-50%; currently no effective program Who gets HIV? 2. Men who have sex with men (MSM) 80 percent of HIV-positive have never been tested or thought they were HIV-negative; 1/5 of all new infections 3. Sex workers 100% condom program for brothels only; increase in infection of spouses and bf/gf 4. Migrant workers Lack of education/language; mobile and inaccessible And especially….

18. The Youth • Decline in education and awareness among young people, especially those not old enough to remember the campaigns carried out in the 1990’s. • 85% of Thai youth do not see HIV as a concern • Increase in pre-marital sex • 70% of all STIs in Thailand occur in this group • Only 20-30% of sexually active young people are using condoms consistently

19. HIV Drugs • Since 2000 the government has provided antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to people living with HIV • By the end of 2007, 153,000 out of 250,000 of those requiring ARVs were receiving them (61% coverage rate). • However, increased access to ARVs has also increased the number of people who are resistant.

20. Thai government expenditures 2007

21. Things to Remember AIDS is incurable and fatal HIV infection is lifelong A person with HIV is infectious for life Anyone can get HIV It is difficult to tell who is infected HIV is preventable

22. How to get involved • Find a PHA group in your area • Identify your target audience, and relay: • What is HIV? How HIV is transmitted, and, as important, how HIV is not transmitted? • What to do if you have HIV? • How to react to people living with HIV/AIDS? • Educate to remove social stigmas related to HIV/AIDS

23. What can PCVs do? • Camps! • English, life skills, anami members -> prevention • Orphans & vulnerable children (OVC) and their care takers -> health care training • Sustainability • Ensuring that your counterparts are running the camps and that the camp is easily replicable -> utilizing youth!

24. PHA Group Products • Reasons for developing products: • To provide additional income for PHA members and their families. • Why is this important? • Groups can also use additional income to educate the community or hold special events such as family camps. • How can you help with your group’s product?