HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS Vocabulary HIV Human (only in humans) Immune (fights infections) deficiency (lack something) Virus (infection that cannot be cured) AIDS Acquired (to get or catch) Immune Deficiency Syndrome (characteristic of a certain disease) OI Opportunistic Infection

HIV/AIDS A Brief History

Summer of 1981 CDC reports the first cases of a rare pneumonia (PCP) occurring in a small group of previously healthy young, gay men in Los Angeles CDC reports on the occurrence of a rare skin cancer (KS) among previously healthy young, gay men in New York

Pneumonia

Cancer

Naming the disease: The Gay Cancer…GRID…

1981 Epidemic A new disease that is new in humans, it is growing very quickly Endemic: Common to a certain population –The 4 H’s Pandemic:Growing quickly globally.

In 1982, the CDC linked HIV to blood.

The 4 H’s 1982 Homosexuals Hemophiliacs Heroin users Haitians

1987 CDC states that HIV is not transmitted through casual contact

1991: Magic Johnson announces that he’s HIV+

Transmitting HIV Fluids Breast milk Blood Semen/ Pre cum Vaginal fluids Openings Vagina Penis Anus Mouth Opening in the skin

The Immune System A healthy individual has approximately 1,200 T-cells A T-cell is like a “soldier cell”. They go out and attack the bacteria or virus. The immune system then forms anti-bodies to protect you.

HIV and the Immune System When the HIV virus attacks the body. The virus takes over the T- cells and makes them HIV factories. T-cell count decreases and the HIV viral load increases. HIV antibodies appear 3 weeks to 6 months after infection. When the individuals T- cell count drops below 200, an AIDS diagnosis is given. Once you are given an AIDS diagnosis, it does not change. Regardless of your T-cell count. The virus is the same…the only thing that has changed is the number of T-cells.