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HIV/AIDS
Definitions
 HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus – A
pathogen that destroys infection-fighting T cells
in the body.
 AIDS – Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome –
A condition that results after a person becomes
infected with HIV.
 You can’t catch AIDS, AIDS develops after HIV has
inflicted enough destruction of the body cells.
Words to Know:
 Lymphocytes – White blood cells that help the body fight
pathogens. They multiply in lymph tissues in order to fight
infections
 B Cells – A white blood cell that produces antibodies
 Helper T Cells – A white blood cell that signals B cells to
produce antibodies
 Antibody – A special protein that helps fight infection
How HIV Works
1. When HIV enters the body it
attaches to the helper T cells
2. HIV takes control of the
helper T cells and produces
more HIV
3. As HIV reproduces, it takes
control of the other helper T
cells
 Helper T cells are now unable to
attach and kill other pathogens
that enter the body
Signs and Symptoms of HIV
 Flu-like symptoms
 Fever
 Diarrhea
 Sore Throat
 Skin Rash
 Swollen Glands
 Loss of Appetite
 Night Sweats
More about Signs and Symptoms
 Symptoms may come and go as the helper T cell count
fluctuates
 Many people will not develop severe symptoms for years
 As the helper T cell count drops, the person becomes
more susceptible to many opportunistic infections
 Opportunistic Infections – An infection that develops in a person
with a weak immune system.
Opportunistic Infections from HIV
1. Thrush – Is a fungal infection of
the mucous membrane of the
tongue and mouth. Causes white
spots and ulcers.
2. Kaposi’s Sarcoma – Is a type of
cancer that causes purplish
lesions and tumors on the skin
and linings of internal organs.
3. AIDS Dementia Complex – Loss
of brain function
4. HIV Wasting Syndrome –
Substantial loss of body weight
that is accompanied by high
fevers, sweating and diarrhea
Facts About HIV
 Roughly 40,000 people in the US become infected with
HIV each year
 ¼ to 1/3 do not know they are infected
 People with or without symptoms can pass the virus to
others
 Many people do not show symptoms for many years after
infection
When HIV becomes AIDS
 According to the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) a
person infected with HIV who
has 200 or fewer helper T
cells per microliter of blood or
an opportunistic infection is
diagnosed with AIDS
How is HIV Spread?
 Through contact with certain
bodily fluids which include:
 Blood
 Semen
 Vaginal Secretions
 Few cases through breast milk
 **To date no documented
cases are from transmission
through saliva and tears
Risk Behaviors that May Lead to HIV
1. Sexual Contact
2. Open Mouth Kissing – Although
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
risk of transmission this way is
low
Sharing Needles/Syringes for
injectable drugs
Sharing Needles for Tattoos or
Piercings
Contact with the blood, other
bodily fluid or mucous
membranes
Blood Transfusion w/ infected
person
Tissue Transplant (organ
donation)
Being born to a mother infected
How to Avoid HIV
1. Abstain from sex until you
2.
3.
4.
5.
are married
Get tested for HIV if you
have been sexually active
Have your partner get tested
for HIV
Choose a drug-free lifestyle
Avoid sharing needles used
for tattoos and/or piercings
HIV/AIDS Treatments
 **There is no cure for HIV or
AIDS**
 Treatment focuses on slowing the
progression of the virus
 Early treatment is critical in slowing
the rate at which HIV multiplies
 Typically 8-10 years until AIDS
occurs
 Drugs are used to slow the
progression although there are
serious side effects from some of
the drugs
HIV Tests
1. Antibody test – Detects HIV
antibodies in the blood


Usually show up in the blood after 3
months of having the infection but can
take up to 6 months
If a test is confirmed as positive it is
repeated to confirm the results
2. Western Blot – Used once an
antibody test has come back
positive
3. Home Testing – The FDA has
approved home testing for
antibodies that gets mailed to a
lab for testing