GROUP-GENIUS TOPIC –HIV/AIDS

What is HIV? Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV is a virus spread through body fluids that affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. 1 HIV kills the bodys CD4 cells (T cells) and damages the immune system. 2 HIV replicates inside the human body. It must invade a healthy cell in the body to survive. 2 There is NO cure, but there is treatment.

What is AIDS? AIDS is a late stage of the HIV infection Once diagnosed, body has hard time fighting disease and certain cancers. NO cure for AIDS, but there is treatment Positive HIV Test + Very low CD4 count (<200 cells) OR presence of specific cancers or infections = AIDS

Routes of transmission of HIV Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person Both men and women at risk Women more at risk Risk increases further in the presence of STIs Anal intercourse- higher risk Transfusion of infected blood/blood products Fastest rate of transmission Can happen through blood transfused or use of unsterilized infected needles / syringes

Sharing of Infected needles/syringes Small amounts of contaminated blood left in needles or syringes can carry the HIV virus from user to user. Among IDUs, transmission occurs by sharing drug paraphernalia. From infected mother to the baby During pregnancy in womb; During birth; and Post- delivery through breast milk

How HIV does not spread? HIV does not spread by normal social contact - Shaking hands Living together in the same house / hostel Sharing clothes/towels Sharing toilets Eating together Through mosquitoes bite Sharing equipment (telephone, computers, machines etc.) Kissing Does not spread by social kissing as viral load in saliva is low In the presence of ulcers in the mouth or bleeding gums - deep kissing or French kissing may be risky

Progression from HIV infection to stage of AIDS Normal Healthy Individual Gets infected with HIV WINDOW PERIOD (3-12 weeks or even 6 months) (Antibodies to HIV not yet developed, test does not capture the real status but person can infect others) HIV Positive (Development of antibodies, can be detected in test) No exclusive symptoms (mild fever or flu like features in some cases) May take up to 10 to 12 years to reach the stage of AIDS, the period can be prolonged through available treatment

Major Signs / Symptoms of AIDS: (A) Major Signs: Weight loss (> 10% of body weight) Fever for longer than a month Diarrhea for longer than a month (B) Minor Signs: Persistent cough General itchy skin diseases Thrush in mouth and throat Recurring shingles (herpes zoster) Long lasting, spreading and severe cold sores Long lasting swelling of the lymph glands Loss of memory Loss of intellectual capacity Peripheral nerve damage

How does one find his/her HIV status? Blood Test (ELISA/ Western Blot) Testing available in government hospitals/voluntary counseling and testing centers/private labs Window period (A person is infected but test does not show as antibodies are not yet developed in adequate quantity. So, test does not show positive, even if one is infected. Period is generally 3 months, may be 6 months in some) Policy on HIV Testing: Testing should be voluntary Testing should be with pre and post test counseling Test results should be kept confidential

HIV antibodies present Infected and can infect others Need to begin treatment No HIV antibodies detected May not be infected (consider the window period) Consider retesting What Does the HIV Test Mean? Positive + Negative -

Treatment for HIV and AIDS AIDS is still incurable but treatment to prolong life available, called Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART) HIV positive person does not need ART immediately With ART, life can be prolonged substantially ART is life long, treatment adherence is the key as well as training of doctors Several countries are providing free ART to their people.

The AIDS logo demonstrates : Care and concern about HIV and AIDS for those who are living with HIV, for those who are ill, for those who have died and for those who care for and support those directly affected. Hope - that the search for a vaccine and cure to halt the suffering will be successful. Support for those living with HIV, for the continuing education of those not infected, for maximum efforts to find effective treatments, cures or vaccines, and for those who have lost friends, family members or loved ones to AIDS.