Download HIV/AIDS - Gordon State College

Immune System
http://www.who.int/hiv/data/en
/
“HIV has inflicted the single greatest reversal in human
development in modern history” UNAIDS Report for 2008
HIV- “an absolute parasite”
Course of HIV Infection
AIDS = CD4 cell count under 200.
What is HIV and AIDS?
 HIV attacks lymphocytes (white blood cells)
called T-cells.
 The virus penetrates T-cells and forces them to
make copies of HIV which causes the T-cell to
die.
 Less T-cells result in a weakened immune system
and risk for opportunistic diseases.
 HIV infection and certain opportunistic diseases
or HIV infection and a low T-cell count (200 or
less) will result in an AIDS diagnosis.
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
HIV/AIDS
HIV = Human Immunodeficiency Virus
= Retrovirus that attacks and destroys the
immune system
AIDS = Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Opportunistic Infections = common bacteria, fungus, viruses,etc. that
usually do not have the opportunity to infect people with healthy
immune systems
HIV Symptoms if present
Sore throat
Mouth Sores
Muscle stiffness and aches
Headaches
Diarrhea
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Fever
Fatigue
Rash
Frequent vaginal yeast infections
Transmission of HIV
•
•
•
•
Blood
Semen
Vaginal Secretions
Breast milk
Treatment
• No cure
• Anti-viral therapy suppresses replication of the
HIV virus in the body
• HAART = Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy
(AIDs Cocktail)
People at Highest Risk for HIV Infection
• Those who engage in unprotected sex
• Those with sexual partners who participate in
high risk activities (anal sex)
• Those who share needles with infected
intravenous drug use
• Infants born to mothers infected with HIV
• Those who received blood transfusions between
1977-1985
HIV: What is Safe?
Safe
 Casual contact.
 Hugging.
 Eating after.
 Massage.
 Masturbation.
 Insects.
Unsafe
 Vaginal sex.
 Anal sex.
 Oral sex.
 Deep kissing.
 Multiple partners.
 Sharing needles.
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.
Should I Be Tested?
You should be tested if:
 You have had any STD.
 Shared drug needles.
 Had sex with a prostitute.
 Had sex with a man who had sex with another man.
 Had unprotected sex with three or more partners.
Remember that the test looks for HIV antibodies. It could take 3 to 6 months
before antibodies appear in the blood. A person should have 6 months
with no risk behavior before a test can be accurate.
For more information contact your local health department.
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.