HIV Infection/AIDS Health

Introduction Questions It is possible to get HIV from casual contact like shaking hands. T/F? Explain. HIV-positive people look very sick. T/F? Explain. A person can totally avoid infection with HIV by using a condom during sex. T/F? Explain. HIV and AIDS are the same diseases. T/F? Explain.

What are HIV and AIDS? HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus The virus that causes AIDS (“AIDS virus”) HIV attacks the body’s immune system; makes it difficult for the immune system to defend the body from infection. First cases of AIDS in the US were in 1981 In 1981 – 379 cases of AIDS More than 1.1 million Americans are currently living with HIV today Young people (13-24 years old) account for 13% of HIV cases reported in the US

What are HIV and AIDS? AIDS A – Acquired (a person gets AIDS during his or her lifetime) I – Immune D – Deficiency (the immune system becomes deficient or stops working) S – Syndrome (the many diseases that result from having AIDS)

How HIV Works HIV must get into the bloodstream Sharing needles, sexual intercourse. HIV targets the T4 white blood cell T4 cells – part of the immune system that defends against infection As many as 10 years can pass before an infected person shows any signs/symptoms HIV-antibody test – a test to see if someone has been infected with HIV Antibodies – body produces them to fight infections

3 Stages of HIV Infection 1. Asymptomatic stage – a period where a person shows no signs or symptoms Soon after getting HIV, an infected person may experience flulike symptoms, which usually go away after a few weeks. This can last for up to 10 years People in this stage can still infect others even though they feel fine

3 Stages of HIV Infection 2. Symptomatic stage When an HIV-infected person starts to experience symptoms Symptoms may include weight loss, a persistent fever, diarrhea, or fungal infections. Symptoms may not appear until 7-10 years after HIV infection

3 Stages of HIV Infection 3. AIDS The onset of AIDS is marked by a very low number of T4 cells The appearance of one or more opportunistic infections: Tuberculosis, fungal infections, lung disease, and certain cancers. Other symptoms include severe weight loss, blindness, depression, and mental deterioration.

Which Body Fluids Contain Enough HIV to Infect? Blood Semen Vaginal secretions Breast milk

Transmission of HIV There are 4 main ways HIV spreads from person to person: Sexual contact Shared needles Contact with blood Mother to baby

Transmission of HIV Sexual Contact ANY contact that involves contact with an infected person’s body fluids, including vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Infected fluids can enter a person’s bloodstream through mucous membranes

What Are Mucous Membranes? Moist, pink tissues in the body. Found in the mouth, vagina, anus, rectum, and penis. *This is why ANY kind of sex (oral, anal, or vaginal) puts a person at risk for HIV infection and other diseases.

Transmission of HIV Shared needles Contact with blood Mother to baby Sharing needles for tattoos, body piercings, or injecting illegal drugs. Contact with blood Coming in contact with an infected person who has an open cut or sore Mother to baby During pregnancy, birth, or breast-feeding.

What Puts Someone At Risk For HIV Infection Sharing equipment for injecting drugs, tattooing, or piercing. Anal, vaginal, or oral sex with an infected person. Having many sex partners Using poor judgment when under the influence of alcohol/drugs

What DOES NOT Put Someone At Risk For HIV Infection Donating blood or receiving donated blood Working at or living at the same place Shaking hands, holding hands, hugging. Using the same toilet Being breathed on, coughed on, sneezed on.

Review Questions What do HIV and AIDS stand for? What part of the body does HIV attack? What 4 body fluids contain enough HIV to infect another person? HIV enters the bloodstream through moist, pink tissues in the body called _____. What does the term “asymptomatic” mean? What puts a person at risk for HIV infection? Name and describe the 3 stages of HIV infection.