HIV/Aids

1. HIV/Aids

2. Overview • “The most serious disease epidemic of our time.” • Caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus • Recently tied to wild chimpanzees through contact with their blood around 1931 • Targets and destroys cells which coordinate our immune system leaving us vulnerable to diseases and cancers

3. Incidence • By 2004, 900,00 cases in U.S. with 500,000 deaths • Currently, 850,000 are living with HIV • 40,000 new cases a year • Dramatic increases for teens • Worldwide 5 million new cases a year • 42 million suffer from it • Another 45 mil. by 2006?

4. Transmission • HIV typically enters the body through unprotected bodily fluid exchanges during oral-genital, vaginal or anal intercourse • An additional 20% contract via contaminated needles • Children can also contract from mother before or during birth or through breast feeding

5. Symptoms • Often it begins with a brief flulike illness a few weeks after infection • Fevers, swollen lymph glands, rashes, loss of appetite, muscle aches • Then bloody stools, repeated fevers, and especially, oral candidiasis • Eventually antibodies to the virus are detectable through blood tests

6. Course • As HIV spreads, the body loses its ability to defend itself • Within 8-11 years one or more severe diseases attack • Pneumonia, encephalitis, fungal infections, salmonella are all common • Now improvement in drug therapies has slowed the former rapid descent to death

7. Treatment • No cure • Thousands of scientists worldwide are trying to cure or prevent • In 1996 a drug which inhibits the virus’ copying abilities emerged • HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) has stymied the virus • Complicated regimen, toxic side-effects

8. Prevention • To be completely safe, no interpersonal sexual contact or a monogamous, mutually faithful relationship • Short of that: don’t share needles avoid contact with semen keep away from anuses, urine, sex workers

9. Preventing STD Transmission • Pleas for abstinence and dissemination of educational materials have failed to stem the tide • Perhaps advice concerning assessing risk rather than insisting on abstinence is the most practical path

10. Assessing Risk • Look to yourself first – get a comprehensive screening • Spend a lot of time with your prospective partner before engaging in sexual activity • Swimming against the cultural tide • Self-disclosure – but many lie

11. Obtain prior medical exams, costs can be controlled • Use condoms • Avoid multiple partners • Wash, inspect, inform