 A – Acquired  I – Immune  D – Deficiency  S – Syndrome  Is a serious disease caused by a virus.

 H – Human  I – Immunodeficiency  V – Virus  Causes AIDS by damaging the body’s immune system which normally protects people from disease.

 The HIV virus seeks out a living cell where it can reproduce.  When it reproduces, it DESTROYS the cell.  This weakens the immune system & leads to opportunistic diseases.  HIV infects the immune system.

“Attacks” Step 1: HIV Virus Step 5: T-Cell is destroyed. HIV released into blood, to attack more T-cells. Step 4: HIV Multiplies Step 3: HIV Invades (enters) Helper T-Cell Step 2: HIV attached to Helper T-cell.

 People with AIDS are open to infections & cancers. Would not be a threat to someone with a healthy immune system.  These illnesses are called “opportunistic” infections and diseases.

 So…does a person die of AIDS?  No. They die of other diseases or illnesses they get because of their affected immune system.

 AIDS has a very high mortality rate.  More than half of all people who are diagnosed with AIDS die within two years.

 Many people infected with HIV have no symptoms and feel well.  Some develop persistent symptoms, lasting 2 weeks or more, which may include: Fever, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, diarrhea, swollen glands, dry cough, skin lesions, yeast infections, memory loss, confusion, disorientation.

 Anyone who has these symptoms for more than 2 weeks should see a doctor. This is especially true for someone at high risk for HIV infection.

HIV positive (asymptomatic) Do not look or feel sick, but can pass on to other people. As their disease becomes more severe, they are diagnosed with AIDS. People with illnesses are in the symptomatic phase of HIV infection.

 Drug users who share needles & syringes.  Women or men who have had unsafe sexual contact.  Babies born to parents at high risk.

 AIDS represents the most severe outcome of infection with HIV.  For every case of AIDS reported, there may be as many as 20 people infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS.  These infected individuals may not know they are infected but can pass the virus to others.

 HIV is spread by direct contact with: Infected blood, semen and vaginal /cervical secretions.  HIV is spread by: Sexual contact with an infected person.  Person may look and feel well. Sharing needles and syringes. HIV may also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during or immediately after pregnancy.

 NO! HIV is NOT spread by casual contact.  You CANNOT get HIV from: Shaking hands Touching something an infected person has touched. Using public toilets, telephones, swimming pools, etc. Eating in restaurants. Working or going to class with a person who is infected. Being a friend to an infected person.

 Abstinence: from sexual contact and from drug use is 100% safe & effective.  Fidelity: when 2 people are in a relationship that is mutually monogamous (one partner) & never shared needles. Marriage.  Practice safe sex: not 100% effective. Use prophylactic (condom)