Download Understanding HIV and AIDS

What does HIV stand for?
Human
Immunodeficiency
Virus
An infection in
which HIV
enters the blood
and is
multiplying in
the person’s
cells.
Helper T cells ~ white blood
cells that activate the
immune response when a
pathogen enters the body.
Healthy people
carry about
500 – 1500
helper T cells
in about
20 drops
of blood
HIV attaches itself to helper T cells.
The virus forces the T cells to make
copies of the HIV, this is
New viruses are
released from the T
cells and they attach to
other cells.
The process of
replication then starts
over.
As more helper T
cells are lost, the
immune system is
less able to fight off
infection. This
could take years.
When a person’s
white blood cell
count gets
below 200 per
milliliter of
blood, they are
said to have
AIDS.
Acquired
Immune
Deficiency
Syndrome
infections or
illnesses that
take
advantage of
a weakened
immune
system
Little or no symptoms
(Asymptomatic)
could last up to
10 years
White blood cell
count drops
below200.
Opportunistic
infections
appear
HIV
Fatigue, weight
loss, fever and
diarrhea
Possible mental
changes
In the first stages of HIV
infection, most people will
have very few (if any)
symptoms. Within a month or
two after infection, they may
experience a flu-like illness:
• Fever
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Enlarged lymph nodes in
the neck and groin area
These symptoms usually
disappear within a week
to a month and are often
mistaken for another viral
infection, such as the flu.
Later Symptoms:
• Rapid weight loss
• Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
• Extreme and unexplained tiredness
• Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the
armpits, groin, or neck
• Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
• Sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals
• Pneumonia
• Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or
under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or
eyelids
• Memory loss, depression, and other neurologic
disorders
Fluids that transmit
the HIV virus:
Sexual
activity
with an
infected person
•ABSTINENCE is the only 100%
effective way to prevent HIV
infection through sexual
transmission.
Sharing
needles
with an
infected
person
•
•
•
•
injecting drugs or
steroids
sharing drug
equipment or
drug solutions
sharing objects
used for piercing
or tattooing
Blood Transfusion
Infected
mother
to her infant
before or
during the birth
process or
breast feeding
Testing for HIV:
HIV antibodies
may be found
within
6 – 12 weeks
after infected
with HIV.
In rare cases up to 6 months,
for these tests to be accurate.
2 tests
given to
test for
HIV are:
Elisa
Test
Western
Blot Test
When Should I get Tested for HIV?
You should be tested for HIV if you have…
• had sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral, or anal) without a
condom
• learned that a partner was not monogamous
• have been sexually assaulted
• had a condom break
• shared needles or syringes to inject drugs (including steroids)
or for body piercing, tattooing, or any other reason
• had multiple sexual partners
• found out that a partner has shared needles
• learned that a past or current partner is HIV-positive
• discovered that a partner has been exposed to HIV
• had a recent diagnosis of another sexually transmitted
infection (STI)
• are pregnant
However…
Even though there is
no cure,
ARV drugs can slow
down the replication
process allowing people
with HIV to live longer,
healthier lives than those
who are infected with
HIV who are not taking ARV drugs.
ANTIRETROVIRAL
(ARV) DRUGS:
 Today there are over 31
FDA approved
antiretroviral (ARV)
drugs to treat HIV/AIDS.
These drugs
DO NOT cure
people with
HIV/AIDS, they
just suppress
the virus.
AZT
is the most
common
drug used
It VERY
important to
remember that
people infected
with HIV who are
on ARV drugs can
STILL TRANSMIT
HIV to others!