Understanding HIV & AIDS

Understanding HIV & AIDS

What does HIV stand for?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus • An infection in which HIV enters the blood and is multiplying in the person’s cells.

Helper T cells ~ white blood cells that activate the immune response when a pathogen enters the body. Healthy people carry about 500 – 1500 helper T cells in about 20 drops of blood

HIV attaches itself to helper T cells. The virus forces the T cells to make copies of the HIV, this is replication • New viruses are released from the T cells and they attach to other cells. • The process of replication then starts over.

As more helper T cells are lost, the immune system is less able to fight off infection. This could take years. When a person’s white blood cell count gets below 200 per milliliter of blood, they are said to have AIDS.

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Opportunistic Infections infections or illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system

Phases & Symptoms of HIV

Phase 1 Little or no symptoms (Asymptomatic) could last up to 10 years HIV fatigue, weight loss, fever and diarrhea Possible mental changes White blood cell count drops below200. Opportunistic infections appear Phase 2 Phase 3

In the first stages of HIV infection, most people will have very few (if any) symptoms. Within a month or two after infection, they may experience a flu-like illness: • Fever • Headache • Tiredness • Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and groin area • These symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for another viral infection, such as the flu.

Later Symptoms: • Rapid weight loss • Recurring fever or profuse night sweats • Extreme and unexplained tiredness • Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck • Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week • Sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals • Pneumonia • Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids • Memory loss, depression, and other neurologic disorders

Fluids that transmit the HIV virus: BLOOD Vaginal Fluid semen Breast milk

How is HIV transmitted?

Sexual activity • with an • infected person • ABSTINENCE is the only 100% effective way to prevent HIV infection through sexual transmission.

Sharing needles with an infected person

injecting drugs or steroids • sharing drug equipment or drug solutions • sharing objects used for piercing or tattooing • Blood Transfusion

Infected mother to her infant • before or • during the birth • process or • breast feeding

Testing for HIV: HIV antibodies may be found within 6 – 12 weeks after infected with HIV. • In rare cases up to 6 months, for these tests to be accurate.

2 tests given to test for HIV are: Elisa Test Western Blot Test

When Should I get Tested for HIV? • You should be tested for HIV if you have… • had sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral, or anal) without a condom • learned that a partner was not monogamous • have been sexually assaulted • had a condom break • shared needles or syringes to inject drugs (including steroids) or for body piercing, tattooing, or any other reason • had multiple sexual partners • found out that a partner has shared needles • learned that a past or current partner is HIV-positive • discovered that a partner has been exposed to HIV • had a recent diagnosis of another sexually transmitted infection (STI) • are pregnant

Is there a cure for aids?

However…

Even though there is • no cure, • ARV drugs can slow • down the replication • process allowing people • with HIV to live longer, • healthier lives than those • who are infected with • HIV who are not taking ARV drugs.

ANTIRETROVIRAL (ARV) DRUGS: • Today there are over 31 FDA approved antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to treat HIV/AIDS. • These drugs • DO NOT cure people with HIV/AIDS, they just suppress the virus. • AZT • is the most common • drug used

It’s VERY important to remember that people infected with HIV who are on ARV drugs can STILL TRANSMIT HIV to others!

Understanding HIV & AIDS