AIDS Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome – infests homosexual community By ½ million related deaths How educated are you? How would you react if you tested positive?

HIV - AIDS HIV-Human Immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is the final stage of HIV Transmitted – Semen-Vaginal Secretions- Blood – Breast Milk – Sharing Needles – Blood Transfusions

Immune System Lymphocytes made in Bone Marrow (White Blood Cells) Helps body fight disease B-Cells – T-Cells T-cells stimulate B-cells to produce antibodies

HIV - AIDS HIV enters blood stream and attacks T- cells. HIV reproduces its genetic material infests the body which makes it hard to fight off any illnesses. Can you die from HIV?

HIV TESTING 2 weeks to 6 month window where disease may not show up on test. ELISA test screens for presence of HIV antibodies in Blood. Followed by confirmatory test. Western blot-IFA-RIA Asymptomatic

Related illness AIDS opportunistic illnesses Bacterial infections Fungal infections Pneumonia Dementia and nerve damage

Research and Treatment HIV enters body copies itself at a rate of 1 billion cells per day. Immune System is weakened by fighting this infection. Treatment is geared toward fighting virus as soon as it enters body

Research and Treatment Protease Inhibitors interfere with the ability of HIV to reproduce. Combined with antiviral medications like AZT 3TC- reduced amount of HIV in individuals.

Research and Treatment Retrovirus-difficult to combat $ - Expense of Many Drugs Lack of $ for research Lack of animal models