HIV & AIDS Team 85 – Cardona

Information is vital As teenagers, you will be facing many new decisions in your life Understanding what can put you at risk for disease is very important None of this is meant to scare you – remember, knowledge is very empowering You can also be an informed educator to others

Who can tell me what the letters HIV and AIDS each stand for?

HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome OK, now what does each of these mean?

HIV can harm you because it attacks your body’s immune system

True or False A low immune system can allow opportunistic infections to invade your body This is called AIDS

True AIDS is a stage of disease where your immune (T, CD4, helper) cells drop below the level of 200 cells per mm blood (a healthy person has about 800) and your body cannot fight off simple infections Medications today can help people with both HIV and AIDS live much longer than they used to

Origins of HIV Likely resulted from hybridization (merging) of two simian (monkey) viruses HIV moved to humans in Africa around 1930 or earlier

Adults and Children Living with HIV/AIDS Total: 40+ million Data from UNAIDS N. America 1.2 million Caribbean 420,000 Latin America 1.5 million Western Europe 550,000 Sub-Saharan Africa 28.5 million Asia & Pacific 6.6 million Australia & New Zealand 15,000 North Africa 500,000 Eastern Europe 1 million

U.S. cases OVER 56,000 new infections every year in the U.S. Most infections are found in people ages years

Ways to transmit HIV BODILY FLUIDS: Any type of unprotected sexual activity Any type of unprotected sexual activity Internet chat-rooms have become a place where people are meeting and this is leading to HIV transmissions Needle sharing and other “works” Needle sharing and other “works” Needle sticks or exposure to blood Needle sticks or exposure to blood Mother-child Mother-child Blood transfusions (prior to testing in 1985) Blood transfusions (prior to testing in 1985)

OK, Now that you know how you can get HIV, how do you think you could prevent it?

Abstinence (not engaging in sexual activity) – Don’t assume everyone has the same definition of abstinence – your partner’s past behaviors could put you at risk. Some couples get tested together (monogamy). – Surf the internet only with your parent’s OK - use good judgment and don’t put yourself at risk! Someday, if/when you choose to engage in sexual activity, educate yourself in ways to prevent all forms of STIs and STDs (condoms: male and female) Avoid drugs and alcohol When the time comes in your life, get tested before you have a baby

True or False If you knew someone who was HIV+, you could get HIV from coming into contact with their sweat, urine or tears

False The only bodily fluids that can transmit HIV are: Blood Semen Vaginal fluid Breast milk Other bodily fluids only if there was blood present/visible Don’t be afraid to kiss, hug, or share food with someone who has HIV

HIV and AIDS Lesson 2 Disease symptoms Window period of the virus Rapid testing

Question for candy… Who can be affected by HIV?

Answer… Anyone! If they engage in unprotected sex or share drug use equipment Any age, any gender, anyone People close to them are also affected by this disease

Early HIV Infection Symptoms present days to weeks after initial exposure Most common presentation is – Fever, fatigue, headache, and rash

HIV Window Period What is it? This is the time it takes for the virus to actually show up in your body after exposure This can take up to 3 months

Who can tell me why this would even be important to know?

It’s important because: The sooner someone knows that they have HIV, the sooner they can receive proper medical care It is less likely that the virus will be transmitted to others if it is known

Importance of HIV Diagnosis Early Intervention services Early Intervention services Improved quality of lifeImproved quality of life Avoid complicationsAvoid complications Healthcare maintenanceHealthcare maintenance Prevent transmission Prevent transmission Chronic infection Transmission to others

Summary: How does HIV spread? Through sexual activity and injection drug use Bodily fluids that can transmit HIV are blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk Be informed and educate others!