1. HIV Infection/AIDS
Health

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

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

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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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.