HEALTH I Section 3-4 Mr. Martin HIV and AIDS HEALTH I Section 3-4 Mr. Martin

What is HIV? Is the most serious incurable STI caused by human immunodeficiency virus. HIV can lead to AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is fatal to 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 viruses (red) emerging from a human helper T cell. How does HIV attack? HIV infects helper T cells, which stimulate other cells of the immune system to produce antibodies against invading pathogens. Inside a helper T cell, HIV produces, killing the cell in the process. The new viruses are released from the cell and move on to destroy other helper T cells. HIV viruses (red) emerging from a human helper T cell.

What are the 3 stages of HIV Infection? Asymptomatic Stage – (lack of symptoms stage) At first, the person may experience flulike symptoms. Overtime the person may show no signs of a disease. During this time, the virus destroys helper T cells and the person may infect others even though they may feel fine. Symptomatic Stage - Once the person starts experiencing symptoms he/she enters this stage: weight loss, persistent fever, diarrhea, or fungal infections. May appear until 7 to 10 years after being infected. AIDS – Because of the very low number of helper T cells in the blood, the persons ability to fight a disease has been weakened by the HIV. The person becomes susceptible to infections that a healthy immune system could easily fight off.

What are opportunistic infections? The infections that attack a person with a weakened immune system are called opportunistic infections. AIDS is characterized by the appearance of one or more opportunistic infections such as: tuberculosis, fungal infections, and a lung disease called pneumocystics carinii pneumonia. Cancers are also common: cervical cancer and skin cancer (Kaposi’s sarcoma). As the disease progresses, the virus may attack brain and nervous system, causing blindness, depression and mental deterioration. Death is usually caused by an opportunistic infection.

Transmission of HIV Can be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person’s body fluids, vaginal, oral and anal sex. Infected through sores or tiny cuts in mouth, vagina, rectum or opening of penis. Can be transmitted through shared needles or syringes that are contaminated with the blood of an infected person. Can be transmitted through contact with the blood or blood parts of an infected person. Can be transmitted from an infected mother to her child, either during pregnancy, birth, or breast-feeding. The doctor may deliver by cesarean section to reduce the risk of transmission during birth. Infected mother should not beast feed. Individuals with HIV are infectious whether or not they have any symptoms of disease.

Safe Behaviors HIV is not transmitted by casual contact: you cannot get HIV by hugging, holding hands, or eating with an infected person. Families that live with an infected person are not at risk of contracting HIV unless they engage in high-risk behaviors. Small amounts of HIV occur in saliva, tears, and perspiration. However, the amounts are so small that infection from contact with these fluids is unlikely.

The Safety of Donated Blood The risk of getting HIV from blood transfusions is extremely small. All the blood collected in the U.S. is tested for presence of HIV. Blood that tests positive for HIV antibodies is discarded.

A Global Problem With approximately 40 million people infected around the world, HIV and AIDS represent a global health problem. Africa- Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than half of all global infections. Asia- HIV infections are also increasing in certain parts of Asia as well.

High-Risk Groups HIV is spreading among people who engage in high-risky sexual behaviors. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, 75% of young people infected with HIV are female: due to lack of information about how to protect themselves or, in some cases, a lack of power to protect themselves.

Education and Prevention The World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS monitor the situation and recommend steps for stemming the epidemic in different countries. The main goal of international organizations is HIV education. Making people in high-risk countries aware of how to protect themselves from HIV infection is a huge step toward prevention.