1. HIV, AIDS, AND HEPATITIS Outcome 7.2: Examine blood-borne pathogen information/ education, including HIV and Hepatitis C.

2. IMMUNE SYSTEM  The immune system is your body’s force for fighting sicknesses

3. HIV  HIV is the virus that causes AIDS  HIV is an acronym for: H- Human (a person) I- Immunodeficiency (which refers to the immune system weakening and having difficulty fighting sickness) V- Virus (a small infectious agent in your body that makes you sick)

4. HIV  HIV destroys the immune system and affects white blood cell’s call T cell’s  T cells are one type of fighter cell in the blood that helps the body fight off germs and diseases.  When HIV enters the body it destroys T Cells, causing the immunes system to weaken.  HIV will then multiply inside the body, and our body will no longer be able to fight off infections.  Someone who is infected with the virus is called HIV positive, however, it may take years for the virus to damage enough T cells for that person to get sick and develop AIDS.

5. AIDS  AIDS is the diseases caused by HIV  AIDS is an acronym for: A- Acquired (means you get it from somewhere) I- Immuno (refers to the immune system) D- Deficiency (weakened) S- Syndrom (the sickness)

6. AIDS  When a person’s immune system has weakened and more T cells have been destroyed by HIV, a person can no longer fight off infections  A doctor will diagnose someone with AIDS when they have a very low number of T cells or show signs of serious infection.

7. TRANSMISSION  Transmission refers to how to pass on the infection  HIV/AIDS can be passed on many ways, such as:  Blood transfusions with HIV infected blood  Needle sharing for drugs, piercings, tattoos with someone who is HIV positive  Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. When a mother is HIV positive they can pass the virus on to their child  All forms of unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner.

8. PREVENTION  Prevention refers to how to prevent yourself from contracting the infection:  Here are some ways to prevent coming in contact with HIV  Wear latex gloves when handling bodily fluids, including blood  Do not share needles or syringes  Abstain (which means don’t have) sexual intercourse  Abstain from unprotected sexual intercourse