Download HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS
Divya Sharan
Carla Laurel
Anupriya Ganguly
Effects of HIV: Biological
• The Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks
the helper T-cells (enters inside cells)
• When Helper T-cells multiply to fight off
diseases, HIV is likewise multiplied
• Helper T-cells activate cytotoxic T-cells and
macrophages (phagocytes), or cause the Bcells to release antibodies.
• Receptors on Helper T-cells recognize foreign
antigens and the cytotoxic T-cells that are
activated then multiply
• Cytotoxic cells will kill other cells that have the
same foreign antigen that was detected by the
Helper T-cell
• Helper T-cells activate B-cells through
interactions using a protein or secretion of
cytokines
• Since HIV selectively infects Helper T-cells,
thus decreasing the number of these
leucocytes, the immune system of the patient
is weakened
• Patients are less likely to detect foreign
antigens, and hence cytotoxic T-cells,
macrophages and B-cells are less likely to be
activated and perform their respective
functions
• HIV positive patients suffer from rare diseases
which a normal person’s immune system can
often fight off. These diseases are called
opportunistic diseases. Eg. Kaposi’s sarcoma
• Manifestation of opportunistic diseases is one
syndrome of AIDS (Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome)
Effects of HIV: Social
• HIV positive patients often suffer from
stigmatization in the society
• Families lose members
• Increased poverty due to lack of economic
productivity
• Life expectancy in southern African countries
dropped
Cause of AIDS
• When T-helper cells drop below a critical level
of 200 because of HIV, the immune system
becomes ineffective and the person can
develop a collection of diseases called a
syndrome.
• When the syndrome of conditions is present,
the person is said to have Acquired Immune
Deficiency System (AIDS). It can take years for
HIV to damage the immune system enough for
AIDS to develop. The median time progression
from HIV to AIDS is around 9-10 years.
However, older people progress from HIV to
AIDS faster because they have weaker
immune systems
Transmission of HIV
• HIV is found in blood and body fluids such as
semen and vaginal fluids.
• Lowest Risk: childbirth (Mother to child:
pregnancy, labor and delivery), breast feeding
• Highest Risk: oral sex, sexual intercourse,
blood to blood contact
• Another way to get HIV is through being
injected by an unsterile needle or syringe that
has been used by someone who is infected.
This is three times more likely to transmit HIV
than sexual intercourse. Other ways it is
transmitted is through using unsterile
equipment for tattoos and piercing.
Common Misconceptions: You can’t
get AIDS from:
• a. saliva/kissing (Saliva does contain HIV, but the
virus is only present in very small quantities and
as such cannot cause HIV infection)
• b. Spitting, coughing, sneezing, sharing glasses,
swimming pools, showers or by sharing washing
facilities or toilet seats etc. (HIV is unable to
reproduce outside its living host, except under
strictly controlled laboratory conditions.)
• c. Insects (HIV only lives for a short time and
cannot reproduce inside an insect. Thus the
insect does not get infected)
• d. protected sex
Social Impact: Negative Effects
• There are many implications of having
HIV/AIDS in our world. When someone is
diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, he or she is
subjected to discrimination and stigmatization
from members of society, especially in the
developing world.
• People infected with HIV/AIDS may be
ostracized by society and may be abused or
harassed by their community.
• This abuse and harassment may also have
implications of their ability to find jobs. People
would not be willing to associate with them
thus they might be fired from their jobs and
may find it hard to find work again.
• HIV/AIDS patients’ health may decline making
them work less and thus even more
undesirable for employers. Even if they do find
a job, their performance may be negatively
affected by HIV/AIDS and so they might lose
their job again.
• The expenditure on medication could make them
bankrupt. This would mean that the patients and
their families may have to cut spending on other
necessary goods such as food and water, or on
education. It would prevent the family from
getting out of poverty.
• There would also be a social responsibility to help
the sick, and this would create a social burden.
• Some people estimate that more than 90% of
HIV-infected people live in the developing world
and many are unaware that they are infected.
• Many religious leaders oppose the use of
condoms or other contraceptive methods,
thus making it harder to limit the contraction
of HIV/AIDS.
• Ryan White was a student that was expelled
from his school because he was an HIV
patient. He was forced out of school and
fought a legal battle with them. He had been
expected to live only 6 months after diagnosis,
but he lived for 5 more years (about the same
time he would have finished schooling).
Positive Developments
• In some countries, mostly More Economically
Developed Counties (MEDCs), it is much easier to
talk about AIDS and AIDS related issues. Also, the
procurement of medication is faster and easier in
these countries.
• World AIDS Day is celebrated every year to
commemorate the many millions of people
around the world who are affected by HIV/AIDS.
It is a day to remember those we have lost and to
acknowledge those who have dedicated their
lives to working against this pandemic.
• AIDS Educational programs for children and
adults are more prevalent now in MEDCs and
in some LEDCs.
Future Outlooks
• In poorer countries, it is hard to get
medication and HIV/AIDS is not something
that people like to talk about. Thus, it will be a
while before HIV/AIDS patients in these
countries stop being discriminated against.
• It is predicted that over the next decade,
another 40 million people will contract the
AIDS virus.
Bibliography
"AIDS." Wikipedia. Web. 7 Oct 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS>.
"Can You Get AIDS from...?" AVERT. 14/09/2009. Web. 7 Oct 2009.
<http://www.avert.org/howcan.htm>.
"NWABR - Education Materials." Northwest Association for Biomedical Research. 7 Oct. 2009
<http://www.nwabr.org/education/hivrequest.html>.
Quinn, Susie . "AIDS/HIV Awareness through Maps and Mashups." Upload & Share PowerPoint
presentations and documents . 7 Oct. 2009 <http://www.slideshare.net/SusieQuinn/aidshivawareness-through-maps-and-mashups-presentation>.
"Reuters AlertNet - GRAPHIC-People living with HIV/AIDS in 2004." Reuters AlertNet - Homepage. 7 Oct.
2009 <http://www.alertnet.org/thefacts/reliefresources/112178398341.htm>.
Taylor, Stephen. "Defense Against Infectious Disease (Core)." Upload & Share PowerPoint presentations
and documents . 7 Oct. 2009 <http://www.slideshare.net/gurustip/defense-against-infectiousdisease-core-presentation>.