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HIV/AIDS

Learn about HIV/AIDS, its impact on the immune system, and how to manage living with the virus. Discover the importance of a healthy diet, exercise, and a positive attitude. Address myths, prevention methods, and caring for those with HIV/AIDS.

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HIV/AIDS

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  1. HIV/AIDS Informed, responsible decision making about health and safety

  2. Statistics • HIV is a virus (a small living thing that can make you ill) • AIDS is a syndrome (a group of signs or changes in the body that are typical of an illness or condition) • Estimated HIV prevalence among South Africans (2008):

  3. Managing living with HIV/AIDS • HIV attacks the body’s immune system • It damages and destroys the T-cells in the body which are the cells that fight illness • Fewer T-cells = body cannot defend itself against infection • Checking the level of T-cells in the blood can monitor the disease

  4. HIV/AIDS and medication • No cure • Antiretroviral drugs slow the progress of the HIV virus and help keep the T-cell count relatively high • This means that people who are infected can live longer • Combinationtherapy: taking more than one drug at a time (more effective)

  5. BUT… • Anti-HIV drugs are expensive • Symptoms: nausea, diarrhea, rashes and headaches • More serious side effects: high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels or psychiatric symptoms • Antiretroviral drugs must be taken every day

  6. HIV/AIDS and diet • A healthy diet keeps the immune system strong and protects the body from disease • Food like peanut butter, eggs, cheeses, legumes and vegetables makes it easier for the body to process all the medication • No alcohol

  7. Why is diet important? • HIV-positive people burn more energy which means they need to eat more • May be too weak to work because of a lack of nutrition • Taking ARVs without food or the right nutrition can cause pain

  8. HIV/AIDS and healthy living • Reducing stress is important • Stress can have a negative effect on appetite and sleep patterns • Exercising 3 times a week can slow the progress of HIV to AIDS • The fitter you are, the more you will be able to keep the level of the virus in your body down (and reduce negative side effects)

  9. A positive attitude • HIV-positive people often have to deal with stigma • “Bad or unfair feelings that people have about an illness or a way of behaving” • The stigma surrounding HIV-positive people may prevent people from getting tested, getting treatment, or searching for support • Finding out you are HIV-positive will result in a range of emotions- anger, denial, depression, guilt

  10. You can help an HIV person by adopting a positive attitude yourself

  11. If you are HIV-positive… • Be informed • Be open about it • Surround yourself with understanding people • Go for counseling • Believe that you have a future

  12. Myths about HIV/AIDS • I can get HIV from being around people who are HIV positive • I don’t need to worry about becoming HIV positive- new drugs will keep me well • I can get HIV from mosquitoes • I’m HIV positive- my life is over • AIDS is genocide • If I’m receiving treatment, I cant spread the HIV virus • My partner and I are both HIV positive- there’s no reason for us to practice safe sex • I could tell if my partner was HIV positive • You cant get HIV from oral sex

  13. Prevention and safety issues • Most common way to get infected: sexual contact • The virus lives in the bloodstream as well as in other bodily fluids of infected people including semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk • While abstinence or no sexual contact is the surest way to not get infected, you can prevent infection by practicing safe sex • Always use a condom during sexual intercourse • Oral sex does carry some risk of infection although it’s very scarce

  14. Caring for people living with HIV & AIDS • Finding out that someone in your family or someone you know is HIV-positive is a terrible shock • With the proper care and support, people with HIV/AIDS can live long healthy lives

  15. What is important: • Make sure HIV positive people have a healthy diet • Help them achieve a healthy body weight • Deal with symptoms and complications • Educating people about HIV and AIDS to reduce the stigma around the disease

  16. Reduce the stigma • HIV/AIDS victims are often treated with a lot of discrimination, prejudice and negative feelings • What do they experience? • Rejection from their families and communities • Don’t receive adequate healthcare treatment • Human rights are abused • Stigma and discrimination can result in infected people losing their jobs

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