Transcript HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS
HIV is an STD but you can get
it in a non-sexual way
History
1st reported in the U.S. in 1981
Worldwide pandemic
Pandemic: infectious disease that is spreading
through human populations worldwide
estimated that there are 33.3 million people
worldwide infected
2.6 million new HIV infections per year
1.8 million annual deaths due to AIDS 76% of those
deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.
attacks everyone everywhere no matter age, race,
socio-economic group (rich/poor)
Information
HIV- human immunodeficiency virus
virus that causes AIDS
Attacks the body’s immune system
specifically the T-Cells
AIDS- acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome
Acquired means you get it from someone
final stage of HIV infection
May take years for a person even without
treatment, to reach this stage
1 or more specific infections/low # of Tcells/certain cancers-they are considered to
have AIDS
Know you are HIV positive?
knowingly spread it to your partner
during sex without telling them
beforehand
you can and will stand trial for murder
or attempted murder
HIV can not live outside the body for
very long
primarily found in
blood
semen
vaginal fluid
less then .06% of the time in breast milk
can be transmitted thru infected blood
but since 1985 all donated blood is
tested for HIV
Not Transmitted
sitting next to someone who is HIV positive
donating blood
a toilet seat
drinking fountain
Doorknob
Dishes
drinking glasses
Food
Pets
mosquitoes
Risk Factors
increase your risk for infection if:
injected IV drugs/steroids into veins with
equipment that was shared with others
unprotected vaginal/anal/oral sex
multiple/anonymous partners
exchanged sex for drugs/money
been diagnosed or treated for
Hepatitis/STD
blood transfusion between 1978-1985
unprotected sex with anyone who has the
above listed risk factors
Tattoos/piercings with unsterilized
equipment
Prevention
abstinence until you are in a relationship
with only one person and are having sex
with only each other
talk about HIV/STD’s with your partner
before you have sex
use a latex condom every time you have
sex
get tested if you have another STD
do not inject illegal drugs
A- Abstinence
B- Be Faithful
C- Condoms
Diagnosis
only way to know if you have been infected
is to be tested
have to be tested when applying for a
marriage license-only way to keep track
can not rely on symptoms because some
people do not have symptoms for many
years
takes 3 weeks to 2 months before your
body shows antibodies for HIV-some people
can take even longer
Symptoms
3 Stages (Early/Middle/Late)
Early Stage
fever
Headache
Flu-like symptoms
tiredness
enlarged lymph nodes (about a month
after exposure)-then they disappear
Later Stages (up to 10 years after
infection)
lack of energy
weight loss
frequent fever and sweats
frequent yeast infections
skin rashes
flaky skin
PID in females
short term memory loss
Testing
Home test kits
EIA/ELISA tests are blood tests99.5% accurate
positive test is followed with a second
test called the Western Blot Test to
confirm
When all test are done there is a 99.9
% accuracy
Most HIV tests look for antibodies in
the blood
Why hasn’t a vaccine been
developed?
An HIV vaccine continues to elude
researchers
Opportunistic Diseases
most common ones:
PCP (Pneumocystis) Pneumonia- a severe lung
infection
KS (Kaposi’s Sarcoma)- a skin cancer
CMV- an infection of the eyes
Candida- a fungal infection that can cause
thrush (a white film in the mouth)
throat and vaginal infections
serious weight loss “Wasting Syndrome”
brain tumors
Treatment
no cure for AIDS
antiretroviral drugs such as AZT slow
down the virus/slow down the
damage HIV does to your immune
system
side effects such as nausea and vomiting
VERY EXPENSIVE
health insurance does not want to pay
the costs