 Human Immunodeficiency Virus -  AIDS  There are some drugs that can keep it at HIV  Some people never get AIDS because of drugs nowadays  Disease of lifestyle/choice

 Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.  Often fatal disease of the immune system.  HIV attacks specific cells of the immune system, disabling the body’s defenses against other pathogens. When the immune system becomes severely disabled, the infected person has AIDS.

 HIV infects – “HELPER T CELLS”  These cells stimulate other cells of the immune system to produce antibodies against invading pathogens.

 Inside the helper T cell, HIV produces, killing the cell in process.  The new viruses are released from the cell and move on to destroy other helper T cells.  The fewer the helper T cells, the more advanced the disease.

 Asymptomatic stage: An infected person may experience flulike symptoms, which usually go away after a few weeks. Months or years later person may show no outward signs of the disease. During this stage the virus destroys helper T cells. Can infect others even though they feel fine.

 Symptomatic stage: When an infected person begins to experience symptoms. Symptoms may include weight loss, a persistent fever, diarrhea, or fungal infections. Such symptoms may not appear until 7 to 10 years after infection with HIV.

 AIDS: Marked by a low number of helper T cells in the blood. At this stage, HIV infected people are usually experiencing even more severe symptoms than the previous stage. HIV weakens the body’s ability to fight off disease and people are susceptible to infections a healthy person could easily fight off.

 Individuals infected with HIV can pass the virus on to someone else through the exchange of: blood semen vaginal secretions breast milk.

 Sexual Contact  Shared Needles  Contact with blood  Mother to baby during birth

 Practice Abstinence  Avoid Drugs  Avoid Contact with Blood or Body Fluids  Monogamous relationship- 1 person  Barrier Protection - condom

 Only way to know is to have a blood test.  In an HIV test, a person’s blood is tested for antibodies to HIV.  If antibodies are detected, a second test is done to verify the result.  Diagnosed =‘s HIV-postive

 Notify all previous sexual partners so they can be tested.  Early diagnosis is important to prevent the spread of the disease and start treatment.  If tested positive, it is hard to cope with and should seek counseling.

 The goal of treatment is to keep the person’s immune system functioning and as close to normal as possible. Keep the viral load – the number of particles circulating in the body Keep the helper T cells as high as possible

 Living with HIV- can still carry on with your career and other activities. But have to avoid risky behaviors that put them at risk for infecting someone else.  The Need for Support-loved ones need to be around to deal with distress and anxiety. Also support could meaning offering financial assistance for therapy.

 At the present time there is no known cure for AIDS.