AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) This condition progressively reduces the effectiveness of the immune system and leaves individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections and tumors.

Global Trends The number of people living with HIV has risen from around 8 million in 1990 to 33 million today, and is still growing. Around 67% of people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa

EstimateRange People living with HIV/AIDS in million million Adults living with HIV/AIDS in million million Women living with HIV/AIDS in million million Children living with HIV/AIDS in million million People newly infected with HIV in million million Children newly infected with HIV in million million AIDS deaths in million million Child AIDS deaths in million million The latest statistics of the global HIV and AIDS …….. # More than 25 million peolple have died of AIDS since 1981 # At the end of 2008, women accounted for 50% of all adults living with HIV worldwide # In developing and transitional countries, 9.5 million people are in immediate need of life-saving AIDS drugs; of these, only 4 million (42%) are receiving the drugs

HIV / AIDS is not just a health issue, it touches all aspects of life including economical, ethical, psychosocial, political, cultural and also impinges upon Human Rights. By spreading fast, mostly to young people and working-age adults, HIV/AIDS affects the country, weakening the country as a whole

Poor Countries are particularly vulnerable to HIV / AIDS because ; They often don’t have good resources to treat and help HIV patients Their Health care systems are most likely already overburdened This make sit nearly impossible to provide expensive treatment to a growing HIV infected population Resources for educating people about risky behaviour are equally limited

AFFECTED COMMUNITIES 1.Children 2.Migrants and mobile workers 3.Indigenous people 4.Rural communities 5.Women 6.Sex Trafficking Sex workers

HOW DOES HIV SPREAD ? The modes of transmission are 1.Sexual Contact : Male to Male Male to female & vice versa Female to Female 2.Blood Exposure : Transfusion of Blood / Blood products Occupational Exposure (Health Care Workers) Injecting drug use / needle sharing 3.Peri-natal Exposure : Transmission from mother to baby Breast Feeding

HOW HIV INFECTION DOES NOT SPREAD HOW HIV INFECTION DOES NOT SPREAD HIV is NOT transmitted by casual contact such as Touching / hugging / shaking hands Sharing household Utensils, towels etc Mosquito / insect bites Coughing / sneezing Swimming in the same pool

WHAT ARE THE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HIV? EARLY Fever Rash Headache Loss of appetite Swollen Glands (lymph nodes) Muscle / joint aches LATE Persistent enlarged lymph nodes Weight Loss Excess Fatigue Frequent fevers Night sweats Chronic / frequent Diarrhea Genital sores Thrush (mouth lesions) Skin Rash Joint stiffness / joint pain Blurred Vision Short term Memory Loss Repeated Bacterial/ Viral / Fungal infections

Respiratory System ▪ Pneumocystic Pneumonia ▪ Tuberculosis Gastrointestinal System ▪ Esophagitis ▪ Diarrhoea Neurological ▪ Meningitis ▪ Encephalitis ▪ Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy ▪ Mania ▪ AIDS Dementia Complex Tumors ▪ Ebstein Barr Virus ▪ Kaposi’s sarcoma ▪ Human Papilloma Virus (resulting in cervical cancer & Cancers of the Immune system known as lymphomas) Miscellaneous ▪ CMV Retinitis leading to Blindness Opportunistic infections Opportunistic infections are common in people with AIDS. HIV affects nearly every organ system.

WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED ??? Talk to your Health provider (Family Physician) / Public Health Department Get yourself tested for HIV If you are sure that you have been exposed to infected material (Blood/ blood products etc) --- Post exposure prophylaxis is recommended

WHAT ARE THE TESTS AVAILABLE FOR DIAGNOSIS OF HIV ? The tests available are 1. ELISA 2. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) 3. Western Blot (Confirmation Test) 4. Immunofluorescence Assay 5. CD4 + Counts 6. P 24 Antigen 7. HIV Culture

PREVENTION SEXUAL CONTACT : It is claimed that use of barriers (condoms) can decrease the transmission of HIV by 80% EXPOSURE TO INFECTION : Health Care workers are highly susceptible. Use of the following helps in reducing the rate of transmission drastically….. Gloves, masks, protective Eye wares, shields, gowns, aprons Frequent & thorough washing of skin immediately after being contaminated with blood / blood products Careful disposal of Needles, scalpels, glasses to prevent needle stick injuries VERTICAL TRANSMISSION : The rate of transmission of HIV from an infected mother can be reduced by the following ● Avoid breast feeding ● Caesarian Section of infected mother ● Course of anti retroviral drugs taken during pregnancy

TREATMENT 1.Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART) 2.Some propose prevention of opportunistic infections by Vaccinations against Hepatitis A & B Prophylaxis against Pneumocystic Pneumonia 3.Palliative Care (Pain killers etc) 4.Last but not the least these patients need Emotional support