HIV & AIDS

HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus About 0.00000047 inches in length Millions of these viruses could fit on the period at the end of this sentence.

Centers for Disease Control has identified 3 Stages of HIV 1.Acute Infection- within 2 weeks of infection you may experience and acute illness, which is often referred to as “the worst flu ever” May not test positive with HIV for 6 months 2- Asymptomatic HIV infection- has been infected with the virus but show no signs, may last 8 years or longer 3- HIV Related Diseases Swollen Lymph nodes Extreme fever Night sweats Unexplained weight loss Cervical cancer AIDS

AIDS Acquired indicates that the disease is not inherited Immune refers to the Immune System Deficiency indicates that something is missing. People with the disease have a weakened immune system that cannot fight off disease and infection Syndrome refers to a specific group of infections and health conditions related to the disease

How is it passed from one person to another? Sexual Contact Semen Vaginal secretions Blood IV drug-use using contaminated needles Tattoos Piercing acupuncture Mother to child Breast milk

HIV Can not be spread by: Saliva Tears Sweat Urine Toilet seats Sinks Bathtub Doorknobs Swimming pools Telephones mosquitoes

Opportunistic Infections- would not normally harm someone with a healthy immune system, but takes advantage of someone with a weakened one Tuberculosis Lung Disease Pneumonia Kaposi’s Sarcoma Dementia Wasting Syndrome Cancers

Testing Confidential Anonymous Why HIV Testing Is Important for Adolescents Adolescents engage in behaviors that put them at risk for HIV infection. Among U.S. high school students surveyed in 2009— 46% have had sexual intercourse at least once. 39% of currently sexually active students did not use a condom the last time they had sex. 14% have had four or more sex partners. 6% had sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13. 2% have injected illegal drugs at least once.

Prevention ABSTINENCE!!! BE IN A MONOGOMOUS RELATIONSHIP!!! COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS AND PARTNER!! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!