HIV AND AIDSNovember 2012

WHAT IS HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus

It is a virus that attacks the immune system and weakens the body’s ability to fight infection

It is the virus that leads to AIDS There is NO CURE

WHAT DOES HIV DO TO THE BODY?

HIV attacks the “helper T-cells” ( CD4 cells) These are white blood cells that fight

infection If the virus destroys T-cells faster than

the body can reproduce them, infections attack the body and make a person sick.

WHAT DOES HIV DO TO THE BODY? On average, there are about 800-1200

T-cells per cubic milliliter of blood in an adult body

HIV becomes AIDS when the count drops below 200 t-cells per cubic milliliter

Children will be diagnosed based on their aged Under age 1 – 750 T-cells Age 1-5 – 500 T- cells Age 6-12 – 200 T-cells

HOW DOES HIV SPREAD IN THE BODY? HIV begins replicating as soon as the

infection occurs. Even if the person is not feeling sick,

HIV is attacking the blood cells. A person with HIV can be symptom free

for ten years or more!

WHAT IS AIDS? AIDS stands for Acquired Immune

Deficiency Syndrome This is a group of diseases that can

result from infection with the HIV virus ONLY people with HIV can get AIDS! A person is diagnosed with AIDS when:

Blood tests indicate that the T-cell count has dropped below 200 (adults)

The person has AIDS indicator conditions (other special diseases that develop from HIV and other infections)

STAGES OF HIV LEADING TO AIDS There are four stages of HIV: Stage One: Infection

this is when the person comes in contact with the virus and the infection occurs

Short, flu-like illness - occurs one to six weeks after infection

Stage Two: Asymptomatic Stage Person has HIV, but does not show any

signs Lasts for an average of ten years

STAGES OF HIV LEADING TO AIDS Stage Three: Symptomatic Stage

The symptoms are mild The immune system deteriorates emergence of infections and sometimes

cancers Stage Four: Diagnosis of AIDS

The immune system is severely damaged The illnesses become more severe leading

to an AIDS diagnosis

AFFECTS OF HIV/AIDS ON A PERSON

HIV is like a roller coaster with many ups and downs

Some people with HIV will never be diagnosed with AIDS, but others will It is possible to have HIV for many years and never

develop symptoms Some people with AIDS are too sickly and die

very quickly, but other live with it for a very long time

Symptoms can be constant or they can come and go

TREATMENT FOR HIV/AIDS At this time there is no cure for HIV but there

are treatments that help many people live longer

There are medications that are taken to attack the virus and reduce the infection, but they cannot many it disappear completely

Otherwise, the infected person has to live a very healthy lifestyle: Eating healthy Exercising regularly Avoiding drugs, alcohol, tobacco