1. INDIA and HIV/AIDS Student Example 2009 Comprehensive Health Education

2. What is HIV/AIDS? HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV can be contracted through sexual contact, breast feeding, or the sharing of needles among people. AIDS is also known as the final stage of when a person has HIV. It is where the body is unable to fight off diseases and has a reduced number of T-cells. The progression of AIDS depends on the strength of a person’s immune system and its ability to fight disease.

3. Symptoms of HIV/AIDS Every person will have a different reaction or results to HIV/AIDS due to the strength of their immune system. The following symptoms include rapid weight loss, fever, swollen lymph glands, diarrhea, etc. Severe symptoms and diseases that can result from HIV/AIDS include pneumonia, lymphoma, and herpes.

4. Most Common method of Spreading The most common form of spreading HIV/AIDS is through sexual contact. Almost half of the Indian population is sexually active.

5. Why does this meet the epidemic criteria This meets the epidemic criteria because India is the second most populated country in the world and is the third most number of people affected by HIV/AIDS. 2,400,000 were affected in 2007. This is not only found in India but in other countries as well. Over 22 million people have died from AIDS. http://www.globalhealthfacts.org/country.jsp

6. INDIA: Those affected by HIV/AIDS India’s total population: 1,147,995,904 (2008) Population living with HIV/AIDS: 2,400,000 (2007) Third most number of people affected by HIV/AIDS. (First, South Africa). This information was found on the following website: http://www.globalhealthfacts.org/country.jsp

7. Rate of HIV/AIDS The rate of HIV/AIDS in India is increasing at a rate of 0.3% of the population each year. This is occurring since close to half of the adults are sexually active in specific parts of India in the South. This information was found on the following website: http://www.avert.org/indiaaids.htm

8. Prevention Methods Remaining abstinent is always the number one most effective way of preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. India's Assam State AIDS Control Society continues to urge the country’s media about reporting more about HIV/AIDS and raising awareness. People have been asked to remain faithful to one partner and to use condoms appropriately.

9. Treatment Measures Clinics are being opened in India to test those who may have HIV/AIDS. Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), which can significantly delay the progression from HIV to AIDS – have been developed. Plans to improve the provision of nevirapine to pregnant mothers with HIV, which can significantly reduce the risk that they will pass infection on to their child. This information was found on the following website: http://www.avert.org/aidsindia. htmhttp://www.avert.org/aidsindia. htm

10. Pattern of Spread HIV/AIDS seems to be detected the most in the following places in India. Four southern states (Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) account for around 63% of all people living with HIV in India http://www.avert.org/aidsindia.htm