Download HIV and AIDS - s3.amazonaws.com

HIV and AIDS
HEALTH I
Section 3-4
Mr. Martin
What is HIV?

Is the most serious incurable STI caused by
human immunodeficiency virus.

HIV can lead to AIDS, acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome, which is fatal to
the immune system.

HIV attacks specific cells of the immune system,
disabling the body’s defenses against other
pathogens. When the immune system becomes
severely disabled, the infected person has AIDS.
How does HIV attack?

HIV infects helper T cells, which stimulate other
cells of the immune system to produce
antibodies against invading pathogens.

Inside a helper T cell, HIV produces, killing the
cell in the process.

The new viruses are released from the cell and
move on to destroy other helper T cells.
HIV viruses (red) emerging from a
human helper T cell.
What are the 3 stages of HIV Infection?

Asymptomatic Stage – (lack of symptoms stage) At first, the
person may experience flulike symptoms. Overtime the
person may show no signs of a disease. During this time, the
virus destroys helper T cells and the person may infect
others even though they may feel fine.

Symptomatic Stage - Once the person starts experiencing
symptoms he/she enters this stage: weight loss, persistent
fever, diarrhea, or fungal infections. May appear until 7 to 10
years after being infected.

AIDS – Because of the very low number of helper T cells in
the blood, the persons ability to fight a disease has been
weakened by the HIV. The person becomes susceptible to
infections that a healthy immune system could easily fight
off.
What are opportunistic infections?

The infections that attack a person with a weakened
immune system are called opportunistic infections.

AIDS is characterized by the appearance of one or
more opportunistic infections such as: tuberculosis,
fungal infections, and a lung disease called
pneumocystics carinii pneumonia. Cancers are also
common: cervical cancer and skin cancer (Kaposi’s
sarcoma).

As the disease progresses, the virus may attack brain
and nervous system, causing blindness, depression
and mental deterioration. Death is usually caused by
an opportunistic infection.
Transmission of HIV

Can be transmitted through sexual contact with an
infected person’s body fluids, vaginal, oral and anal sex.
Infected through sores or tiny cuts in mouth, vagina,
rectum or opening of penis.

Can be transmitted through shared needles or syringes
that are contaminated with the blood of an infected
person.

Can be transmitted through contact with the blood or
blood parts of an infected person.

Can be transmitted from an infected mother to her child,
either during pregnancy, birth, or breast-feeding. The doctor
may deliver by cesarean section to reduce the risk of
transmission during birth. Infected mother should not beast
feed.
Individuals with HIV are infectious whether or not they have any symptoms of disease.
Safe Behaviors

HIV is not transmitted by casual contact: you cannot get HIV
by hugging, holding hands, or eating with an infected person.

Families that live with an infected person are not at risk of
contracting HIV unless they engage in high-risk behaviors.

Small amounts of HIV occur in saliva, tears, and perspiration.
However, the amounts are so small that infection from contact
with these fluids is unlikely.
The Safety of Donated Blood

The risk of getting HIV from blood transfusions is
extremely small.

All the blood collected in the U.S. is tested for presence
of HIV. Blood that tests positive for HIV antibodies is
discarded.
A Global Problem

With approximately 40 million people infected around the
world, HIV and AIDS represent a global health problem.

Africa- Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than half of
all global infections.

Asia- HIV infections are
also increasing in certain
parts of Asia as well.
High-Risk Groups

HIV is spreading among people who engage in high-risky
sexual behaviors.

In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, 75% of young people
infected with HIV are female: due to lack of information
about how to protect themselves or, in some cases, a lack of
power to protect themselves.
Education and Prevention

The World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations
Programme on HIV/AIDS monitor the situation and
recommend steps for stemming the epidemic in different
countries.

The main goal of international organizations is HIV
education. Making people in high-risk countries aware of
how to protect themselves from HIV infection is a huge step
toward prevention.