Content Vocabulary

1. Content Vocabulary • Pneumocystis carinii (PCP) • Kaposi’s sarcoma • AIDS dementia complex • protease inhibitors • intravenous (IV) drug abuse

2. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS, was first observed in the 1970s and has spread rapidly to more than 100 countries and every inhabited continent of the globe. Teens are currently the most rapidly growing group for infection with both HIV and AIDS.

3. HIV Infection and AIDS • HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when a specific set of criteria is met.

4. A person with an HIV infection may be healthy for years with the virus present in the body. A diagnosis of AIDS results with the destruction of the immune system. HIV Infection and AIDS

5. How HIV Destroys Immunity When first infected, the HIV virus incubates in the body for several weeks but causes no symptoms, or causes a flu-like illness. An HIV test at this time, the window period, may be negative. The infection, however, can still be passed to others. After months or years of infecting T cells and reproducing, HIV destroys immunity. HIV Infection and AIDS

6. The Diagnosis of AIDS AIDS is usually first detected when the person is diagnosed with a disease that is typical of an AIDS carrier. The first symptoms of AIDS often include fatigue, appetite loss, weight loss, and a nagging cough. Yeast infections of the mouth, throat, or vagina are common in later stages of AIDS. HIV Infection and AIDS

7. The Disease of AIDS HIV Infection and AIDS • Pneumocystis carinii is the disease that often first brings people with AIDS to the physician. Pneumocystis carinii (PCP) A type of pneumonia characteristic of AIDS

8. The Disease of AIDS HIV Infection and AIDS • Kaposi’s sarcoma is one of the diseases characteristic of AIDS. Kaposi’s sarcoma A normally rare skin cancer causing a purplish discoloration of the skin

9. HIV Infection and AIDS The Disease of AIDS • HIV can make its way to the brain and nervous system causing AIDS dementia complex. AIDS dementia complex The mental disorder, resulting from an attack by HIV on the brain and nerves.

10. Treatment and Life with AIDS • New drugs and drug combinations can help people with AIDS remain healthy.

11. Antivirus drugs, such as AZT (zidovudine) can reduce the level of HIV in the blood. The lower the level of HIV in the tissues and blood, the slower the progression of AIDS. AZT’s effects only last about a year before the virus becomes resistant to the drug. Treatment and Life with AIDS

12. Combination Treatments Treatment and Life with AIDS • Today, the best medical treatment is a combination of drugs, including those of the AZT family, a group known as protease inhibitors, and others. protease inhibitors Drugs that stop the action of an enzyme which ordinarily helps HIV to reproduce

13. A Threat of Resistance Health care providers are concerned that HIV will become resistant to medications. If HIV patients fail to take their medications as prescribed, then the virus may become resistant to the drugs. Treatment and Life with AIDS

14. Other Concerns Drugs used to treat HIV and AIDS are expensive. Without adequate insurance, the majority of those infected cannot afford proper medical treatment. Researchers are trying to develop an effective, inexpensive HIV vaccine. Treatment and Life with AIDS

15. Living with HIV First, accept the diagnosis of HIV. Decide whom to tell and how. Be ready for changes and possible discrimination. React to losses with courage. Treatment and Life with AIDS

16. Transmission of the HIV Virus • HIV can be transmitted in several ways, but not through casual contact.

17. Ways HIV is NOT Transmitted HIV is NOT transmitted through: Casual contact such as shaking hands. Insect bites. Touching shared objects such as toilet seats. Donating blood using sterilized needles. Transmission of the HIV Virus

18. Sexual Transmission A single sexual encounter with an infected partner can infect a healthy person with HIV. The presence of STDs can increase the risk of contracting HIV. Transmission of the HIV Virus

19. Needles The sharing of needles among people who practice intravenous (IV) drug abuse is the second most common way to contract HIV. Transmission of the HIV Virus intravenous (IV) drug abuse The practice of using needles to inject drugs of abuse into the veins

20. Needles Unsterilized needles used for any purpose are dangerous, including the needles of acupuncture, tattooing, body piercing, and electrolysis. Transmission of the HIV Virus

21. Pregnancy, Childbirth, Breastfeeding HIV can be transmitted to infants in three ways: During pregnancy During childbirth While breastfeeding Transmission of the HIV Virus

22. Blood Traces Only traces of whole cells are needed to transfer HIV from person to person. Semen commonly carries HIV, but so can small amounts of blood—the amount you see sometimes when brushing your teeth, for example. Transmission of the HIV Virus

23. Blood Transfusions and Tissue Transplants Those who received blood or tissue before 1985 risked being infected with the virus. Today, advances in screening donors have resulted in a safe blood supply. Transmission of the HIV Virus

24. Section Review: Reviewing the Vocabulary • The mental disorder resulting from an attack by HIV on the brain and nerves is called __________. AIDS dementia complex The mental disorder resulting from an attack by HIV on the brain and nerves

25. Section Review: Reviewing the Vocabulary • ____________ is a normally rare skin cancer causing a purplish discoloration of the skin, seen commonly among people with AIDS. Kaposi’s sarcoma A normally rare skin cancer causing a purplish discoloration of the skin