HIV  stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus

HIV causes AIDS You can be infected with HIV (you can’t “catch” AIDS, you can catch HIV)

 A  A - Acquired (you get it)  I  I - Immune (your ability to fight infections)  D  D - Deficiency (not enough)  S  S - Syndrome (a group of problems)

 AIDS is a condition that can develop after being infected with HIV.  AIDS happens when the body’s immune system breaks down.

There is no vaccine for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) because the virus is constantly changing.

HIV attacks T-cells  These T-cells are unable to fight the HIV  These T-cells can not signal the B cells  Therefore the viruses are not destroyed.

Diagram of HIV infection

A special blood test can detect HIV infection. HIV infected individuals will have a low t-cell count.

How can someone find out if they have HIV?  Blood tests are available at AXIS community health - they are free and confidential  Address: 4361 Railroad Ave  Patients are seen by appointment only l call (925) l Monday and Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. l Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Website:

Fluids found to transmit the virus:  Blood  Semen  Vaginal Fluids  Breast Milk

 How do you catch a cold?  How do you catch the flu?  How do you catch chicken pox?  How do you catch HIV?

3Drug users sharing intravenous (IV) needles 3Through contaminated needles used when piercing (ear, body) or tattooing is done.

 How do you catch HIV?

 Semen and vaginal fluids carry HIV. 3 During sexual contact, the virus can cross through microscopic abrasions (tiny tears in the skin).

 How do you catch HIV?

3pregnant mothers with HIV pass the virus to the unborn baby through the birth process 3Breast feeding can pass HIV too

 How do you catch HIV?

3Since 1985 blood donors are screened and blood is tested for the virus.

òkissing òhand holding/hugging òsports òNot even by sharing eating utensils

There are not enough white blood cells in urine, tears, or saliva to infect someone. (blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk are rich in white blood cells)

An HIV infected person is contagious as soon as they contract the virus, and is infected for life.

 nausea  fatigue  weight loss  diarrhea

pneumonia rapid weight loss cancer skin lesions The body’s immune system is unable to fight disease to keep the body healthy.

Safe behavior: Don’t have any contact with HIV!

Stay drug free! …this means no illegal use of any drug (even legal drugs.)

Avoid sexual activity - this means not to have intercourse (sex) or contact with the genitals

How do people with HIV stay alive? Lisa’s HIV infection Steve’s HIV medications

Statistics - World wide * 33.2 million people now live with HIV or AIDS. * In 2007, approximately 2.5 million people were infected with HIV. * Every day, over 6800 people become infected with HIV - almost five people per minute. * 5700 people die from AIDS every day. * One child dies every minute. * 15 million children around the world have been orphaned by AIDS, losing one or both parents to the disease. * Every fifteen seconds, another person age becomes infected with HIV/AIDS.

Statistics - USA * Roughly one million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. * Since the start of the AIDS epidemic, 1.5 million Americans have been infected with HIV and more than 524,000 have died of AIDS. * At least 40,000 people are infected each year. * African Americans account for 48% of new HIV infections. * AIDS is the leading cause of death for African American women aged 25 to 34 and HIV rates among Hispanic women are increasing. * The number of women living with HIV has tripled in the last two decades. * At least half of all new infections are among people under the age of 25. * Washington, DC has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the United States - one in 20 people are living with HIV or AIDS.