Introduction of HIV/AIDs

---

HIV is a sexually transmitted infection/disease (STI/STD). It can also be spread by contact with infected blood, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breast-feeding. It can take years before HIV weakens your immune system to the point that you have AIDS.

AIDS is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight the organisms that cause disease.

Human- Only found in people, not other animals.

Immunodeficiency- The body’s defense (the immune system) is weakened.

Virus- A type of infection that has no cure.

AND

Acquired- Developing a disease resulting from exposure

Immune- The body’s way of fighting diseases.

Deficiency- Weakened.

Syndrome- A group of symptoms that make up a specific disease.

Stats:

• Worldwide, around 33.3 million people were living with HIV as of August 2008.· 
• Every day, people become newly infected.· 
• Nearly one-half of all new infections occur among young people aged 15-24. Females are twice likely to be infected with HIV than men.
• Since 1981, over 25 million have died.

Similar to the military, your body has CAPTAINS/LEADERS (who make the orders) and TROOPS/BODY SOLDIERS (who take the orders) when protecting the body’s immune system.

In the body the Captains or leaders are called, HELPER T-CELLS: Helper T-Cells orders two more cells (B-Cell and Killer T-Cells) in your body to search for and destroy invaders (disease) that causes harm to your body.

In the body the Troops or Body Soldiers are called, WHITE BLOOD CELLS: The immune system is our body’s way of fighting disease. An army of white blood cells (body soldiers) are what protect us from foreign invaders (diseases).

In the body the Invaders or Terrorist are called, HIV/AIDs: HIV attacks these Helper T-Cells. HIV attaches to the CD4 protein on the Helper T-Cell’s surface, infects the Helper T-Cell and begins copying itself.

ACTIVITIES THAT CAN TRANSMIT HIV:

· Unprotected vaginal sexual intercourse with an HIV infected person.

· Unprotected anal sexual intercourse with an HIV infected person.

· Unprotected oral sex with an HIV infected person.

· Direct blood transfusion of HIV infected blood.

· Sharing needles or razors with an HIV infected person.

· Contact with blood of an HIV infected person.

· From an HIV infected mother to infant through breastfeeding.

· From an HIV infected mother to infant during delivery.

· From an HIV infected mother to infant during pregnancy.

ACTIVITIES THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK:

· Having more than one sexual partner during a short period of time.

· Not being circumcised (for males) or having unprotected sex with someone who is not circumcised.

· Having sex when having other STDs.

· Having sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The ONLY four fluids that can pass HIV from one person to another:

1. Blood

2. Semen

3. Vaginal Fluid

4. Breast Milk

The Danger Zone is when (if infected with the virus) Very high HIV viral load. During this high-risk period, you are 40-times more likely to pass HIV to someone else during unprotected sex!!! This is the period when an infected person is MOST likely to spread HIV to someone else. During this period, however, your HIV test may be negative because the test detects antibodies, not the virus itself. When you first contract HIV, your body has no antibodies to fight it. These antibodies take 6-8 weeks to increase to a detectable level. This is ALSO why the viral load is so high during this first 6-8 weeks. Without antibodies to be detected in a test and to lower the level of HIV viral load significantly.

Development of AIDS- Without proper care and treatment, eventually your immune system cannot keep up the fight against HIV. It becomes weaker and weaker and you become very sick. You are considered to have AIDs when you develop particular infections that occur when the immune systems is very weak (opportunistic infections) or when the number of Helper T-Cells drops below a certain lever (CD4 count is less than 200).

REMEMBER, that HIV itself is an incurable Sexual transmitted disease (STD).

HIV infection is preventable. You can protect yourself from getting HIV by always practicing the "ABCs of HIV" prevention by:

A: Abstinence (NOT having sexual intercourse)

B: Being loyal to one partner (Sexual intercourse with ONE lover/spouse)

C: Condom use (Birth control being use CORRECTLY)

Other ways to prevent HIV/AIDs:

· Reduce the number of partners.

· Getting tested with your partner together to know each other’s test results.

· Not having sex with a partner who uses drugs.

· Never share needles if using drugs.

· Getting circumcised, if you are male.

If not treated soon with ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) treatment, your CD4 count can quickly drop below the healthy range.

Once your CD4 (T-Cell) count drops below 200, then you’ll need to take the ART treatment medication. A healthy CD4 count is between 500-1600.

Ways to keep your CD4 count in healthy range:

1. Take ARV (Antiretrovial) drugs if infected with HIV

2. Eat a healthy, well balance meal

3. Plenty of exercise

1. What is the most common way HIV is spread globally?

Answer: THROUGH UNPROTECTED SEX!!!!!! 

2. How do I know if I have HIV?

Answer: The only way to know for sure whether or not you have HIV is to get tested. You can get tested at a voluntary testing and counselling center or clinic.

3. Can a healthy-looking person have HIV?

Answer: YES, not all people look thin, sick or loose-weight. Someone who is fat and looks healthy may be infected with HIV. Serious sickness and weight loss usually occur at a later stage of infection.

4. What is the connection between HIV and STDs?

Answer: Sexually transmitted diseases/infections that cause sores or ulcers on the genitals greatly increase the risk of acquiring HIV from an infected partner because blood or sexual fluids containing HIV can enter the bloodstream through the sores or ulcers. Even STDs that do not result in sores and ulcers (gonorrhea, chlamydia) can increase the risk of HIV infection because all STDs increase the number of white blood cells present in the genital tract, allowing HIV to enter the body more easily.

5. Is there a cure for HIV?

Answer: No. Once you have the virus it will be in your body for the rest of your life.