MONDAY 1 DECEMBER 2009 WORLD AIDS DAY

HIV / AIDS HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME

HIV is the virus which causes the fatal disease of the immune system AIDS At least 28 million people have died from AIDS It is 20 years since HIV was recognised There’s still no vaccine or cure

The HIV Virus targets the immune system, the very system which would normally defend the body against infection. HIV attacks white blood cells called CD4+. It hijacks the cell & inserts its own genes into the DNA

The HIV infection is present in blood, sexual fluids, and breast milk of people who are infected with the virus. HIV CANNOT be caught: on toilet seats, by kissing, touching, sharing crockery/cutlery, in Swimming pools, in the air, insect bites

Early Stages: About half of people who contract HIV suffer flu like symptoms within the first 2-4 weeks of infection. The graph shows the course of a typical HIV infection over time. 12 weeks of infection the body starts producing antibodies

As the immune system becomes damaged, it loses its capacity to fight disease and infections can become life-threatening. Infections/diseases more susceptible to: TB, Malaria, Pneumonia, Shingles. Other infections: common bacteria, funguses, parasites.

HIV Drugs: Since the start of the HIV epidemic, a series of drugs have been developed which significantly prolong the lives of people who are HIV positive. They are called Anti- retroviral drugs and they block the virus’s ability to replicate

There are an estimated 42 Million people worldwide infected with HIV, 37.2 Million of those are adults aged Almost half of them are WOMEN. The steepest increase has been in East Asia, closely followed by Central Europe and Asia

16 PEOPLE IN THE UK ARE DIAGNOSED WITH HIV EVERY DAY!

MALE TO FEMALE HIV SEXUAL TRANSMISSION IS 2.5 TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN FEMALE TO MALE. WOMEN ARE MORE PHYSICALLY SUSEPTABLE TO HIV THAN MEN

The key methods of preventing the transmission of HIV are by not having unprotected sex with anyone who is or may be HIV positive, or by using latex condoms.

IV Drug users should avoid sharing needles. HIV positive mothers should avoid breast feeding.