Overview of HIV-AIDS AMSA presentation & discussion April 11, 2006 More info available on AMSA website -

Background Info AIDS virus HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) - the virus that causes AIDS HIV destroys a certain kind of blood cell (CD4+ T cells) which is crucial to the normal function of the human immune system AIDS = CD4+ count below 200 (as of about ½ of HIV patients develop AIDS within 10 yrs) AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Acquired - not hereditary - contact with a disease causing agent Immunodeficiency - weakening of the immune system Syndrome -group of symptoms that characterize a disease

History The earliest known case of HIV-1 in a human was from a blood sample collected in 1959 from a man in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, but scientists think it started as early as the 1940’s. There is no vaccine, but scientists are working to develop one.

Transmission HIV is transmitted through: sexual intercourse needle- or syringe-sharing the medical use of blood organ or tissue transplantation mother to infant HIV is not transmitted though: Casual contact Air Food Water routes Contact with inanimate objects Mosquitoes/other arthropod

Where is it most prevalent? Of the 42 million people around the world who live with HIV/AIDS, 70% are in sub-Saharan Africa. Not just in Africa – also where poverty, inequality, and conflict are prevalent. Eastern Europe and Central Asia have the fastest rates of spread, followed by countries in Asia and the Pacific, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

Other consequences of AIDS Orphans – 15 million children under 18 have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS worldwide Economic – The economic impact of HIV/AIDS illness and death has serious consequences for an orphan's access to basic necessities such as shelter, food, clothing, health and education. Orphans run greater risks of being malnourished or contracting disease.

How serious is it? Who is at risk? More than 25 million people have died from AIDS- related diseases million people died, 4.9 million infected, and 40.3 million living with HIV Women remain the fastest growing group to be infected with HIV Male-to-female transmission is estimated to be eight times more likely than female-to-male The poor, elderly, homosexual, hemophiliacs, and minorities are at greater risk

What is being done? Spending - President Bush announced a bold new initiative known as PEPFAR, through which the USA will spend $15 billion over five years on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs in other countries. Education and Prevention – it IS preventable – and educational programs across the world are working at attacking it from this angle. Medication – Antiretroviral AIDS medication – trying to distribute to poor, high prevalence countries

What can we do? (to name a few) Learn about AIDS or join the listserve on AMDA (Student Global AIDS Campaign/Global AIDS Alliance) Contribute to the United Nations Global AIDS and Health Fund. Donate online or call AIDSFUND. Gather unused HIV Medicines for Guatemala or Haiti. Summer Opportunities/Internships Albert Schweitzer Fellowship – Africa Programs American Association for World Health (AAWH) Fellowship Program in AIDS Care Much more – on AMSA

Short Video Clip on AIDS in India

Things to Ponder… There are rumors in parts of Africa, including large portions of South Africa, that having sex with a virgin will cleanse a male of AIDS. This has resulted in a high number of infant rapes. Another problem related to this is that many African tribes hold public virginity tests of young women, which advertises their virginity to potential perpetrators. Stigma associated with disease – those infected are considered responsible for their fate, many methods of contraction are considered promiscuous, people are afraid of contracting it through casual contact – some are denied employment and health care.

More things to ponder… Should we as Americans be responsible for sending aid and medication to Africa (home to over 70% of AIDS cases), when there are many individuals in our own nation without treatment?? 95% of those with AIDS worldwide live in developing countries 63% of Americans with AIDS are black or Hispanic (U.S.) 58% of infected men were infected by homosexual contact (U.S.) 8000 people die every day. The time to act is now.

Discussion/Debate Points The Stigma Religious Beliefs/Customs in foreign nations Should we provide aid to Africa? How expensive should drugs be? Should people be prosecuted for knowingly spreading AIDS to others? How do we stop AIDS in countries where few citizens know about and understand it? (feel free to add any of your own…)