HIV/AIDS “When one member suffers, all members suffer” 1 Corinthians 12:26

The AIDS pandemic Young people (15-25) are the fastest-growing population of newly- infected persons living with HIV/AIDS in the world Over 33 million people are currently infected in the world today, 2.6 million will be infected this year and 1.8 million will die from the disease. Over 15 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS – it is estimated that a child loses a parent to AIDS every 14 seconds. The orphans from the AIDS pandemic are much more at risk of becoming victims of child labour and other abuses – and are more at risk of being infected themselves. More than children are infected daily (90% from parent-to- child transmission) What solutions do you think we, as Christians, are called to find?

The Catholic response to AIDS The Catholic response is a response of solidarity, or togetherness, with those who suffer. Over 25% of all clinics to treat people affected with HIV/AIDS worldwide are Catholic-run. There is a connection between: HIV and poverty – how can we create justice for the poor and sick? third-world debts and rates of HIV infection/treatment. This makes the vulnerable more so. In general the Catholic response is: Pray, Learn and Act. Express your opinions to the gov’t.

What is HIV/AIDS A – acquired I – immune D – deficiency S – syndrome A disease state caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that decreases the functioning of the immune system. When people are immune deficient, they are more susceptible to certain severe infections and cancers.

How the immune system works Cold Virus invades body Person gets a cold Immune system makes antibodies Virus destroyed by antibodies Immune system unharmed Person becomes well HIV disease Virus invades body Flu-like symptoms may appear Immune system makes antibodies HIV takes over these cells and begins reproducing Immune system breaks down Person gets more and more ill

How is HIV transmitted? By sexual contact where bodily fluids are exchanged with an HIV infected partner By sharing needles with an infected person when injecting drugs From an infected mother to her baby – during pregnancy, during delivery or breastfeeding Through contaminated blood/blood products (before November 1985)

How is HIV not transmitted Holding hands Kissing Doorknobs, telephones, table surfaces, toilet seats etc. Sneezing, coughing, tears, sweat, saliva Insect or animal bites Sharing food or drinks Swimming pools If fluids are not exchanged, activities are considered low risk for HIV

HIV and the immune system White blood cells protect against and fight disease. They create antibodies that fight disease-causing organisms They also create suppressor cells - these work to stop the fight against invading germs In a healthy person, antibodies outnumber suppressor cells – in a person with HIV, there are more suppressor cells This weakens the immune system and makes it ineffective AIDS patients eventually die from opportunistic infections Signs of HIV infections: Unexplained persistent fatigue Fever, chills, weight loss, swollen glands, persistent ill health

HIV infection timeline Detectable antibodies..………………………………………………………………………………………………… InfectedSymptomsAIDS with HIV Able to infect others

Statistics Number of positive HIV test reports – between 2000 and 2700 per year in the past 15 years. Currently the highest rate of infection is in Saskatchewan, followed by NWT, Ontario and Manitoba. Numbers of cases are highest in Ontario, Quebec, Alta and BC (together make up 93% of the cases in Canada) In 2011: 1658 adult men tested positive for the first time 505 adult women.. Risk categories include men who have sex with men, heterosexuals and intravenous drug users (in that order) AIDS rates have gone down dramatically – good access to treatment in Canada

Video The Catholic Church and Global HIV & AIDS, Part 1: Overview The Catholic Church and Global HIV & AIDS, Part 6: Orphans and Vulnerable Children