HIV
1. HIV stands for the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus.
2. After getting into the body, the virus kills or damages cells of the immune system.
3. The body keeps up by making new cells or trying to contain the virus, but eventually HIV wins and destroys the body’s ability to fight infections and cancers.
HIV TRANSMISSION
1. HIV enters the body usually by injecting infected cells or semen.
2. HIV infection is usually spread by having sex.
3. Although intercourse is the primary risk factor, oral sex transmission is
possible.
4. HIV frequently spreads among injection-drug users who share
syringes.
5. Women can transmit HIV to their babies during pregnancy or birth or through breastfeeding.
6. People who already have a sexually transmitted infection are more likely to acquire HIV infection during sex with an infected partner.
7. It can also be transmitted even if a person is under treatment.
8. The virus does not spread through casual contact such as preparing food, sharing towels and bedding, or via swimming pools, telephones, or toilet seats.
9. It also cannot be transmitted through any insect bite.
AIDS
1. AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, and is a collection of illnesses.
2. It is caused by HIV and occurs when the virus destroys so much of the body’s defenses that immune-cell counts fall to life-threatening levels and are unable to fight opportunistic infections.
3. A positive HIV test result does not mean that a person has AIDS.
AIDS SYMPTOMS
1. People with HIV often do not know they are infected.
2. Many people do not develop symptoms after they first get infected, but others have a history of flu-like illness within several days to weeks after exposure to the virus.
3. Early HIV symptoms could include fever, headache, tiredness, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
4. These symptoms usually disappear within a few weeks.
5. After that, the person feels normal and has no symptoms – a phase that could last for 5-9 years.
6. The common opportunistic infections encountered by HIV/AIDS patients are: TB, HIV-TB, Candidiasis, Pneumocystis carini, Toxoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis, Cryptosporidial diarrhoea, Cytomegolo virus infection, and P.Marneffea infections.
HIV TEST
1. If you have engaged in unprotected sex outside a mutual monogamous relationship, or shared needles using drugs, take an HIV test.
2. Early detection and treatment slows the growth of HIV.
HIV TREATMENT
1. As single-drug therapies have effects which last only for a limited duration, are also very expensive and have severe adverse reactions, while the virus tends to develop resistance quickly, the emphasis is on giving a combination of drugs including newer expensive drugs called protease inhibitors.
2. Therefore, WHO’s policy advocates strengthening of clinical management for opportunistic infections with better care programmes to prolong survival and improve the quality of life of
people living with HIV/AIDS.
3. If you are pregnant and infected with HIV, you may be able to reduce the risk to your unborn child by getting treatment early.
4. By following certain steps and precautions, women with HIV/AIDS can and do have families too.
1. HIV stands for the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus.
2. After getting into the body, the virus kills or damages cells of the immune system.
3. The body keeps up by making new cells or trying to contain the virus, but eventually HIV wins and destroys the body’s ability to fight infections and cancers.
HIV TRANSMISSION
1. HIV enters the body usually by injecting infected cells or semen.
2. HIV infection is usually spread by having sex.
3. Although intercourse is the primary risk factor, oral sex transmission is
possible.
4. HIV frequently spreads among injection-drug users who share
syringes.
5. Women can transmit HIV to their babies during pregnancy or birth or through breastfeeding.
6. People who already have a sexually transmitted infection are more likely to acquire HIV infection during sex with an infected partner.
7. It can also be transmitted even if a person is under treatment.
8. The virus does not spread through casual contact such as preparing food, sharing towels and bedding, or via swimming pools, telephones, or toilet seats.
9. It also cannot be transmitted through any insect bite.
AIDS
1. AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, and is a collection of illnesses.
2. It is caused by HIV and occurs when the virus destroys so much of the body’s defenses that immune-cell counts fall to life-threatening levels and are unable to fight opportunistic infections.
3. A positive HIV test result does not mean that a person has AIDS.
AIDS SYMPTOMS
1. People with HIV often do not know they are infected.
2. Many people do not develop symptoms after they first get infected, but others have a history of flu-like illness within several days to weeks after exposure to the virus.
3. Early HIV symptoms could include fever, headache, tiredness, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
4. These symptoms usually disappear within a few weeks.
5. After that, the person feels normal and has no symptoms – a phase that could last for 5-9 years.
6. The common opportunistic infections encountered by HIV/AIDS patients are: TB, HIV-TB, Candidiasis, Pneumocystis carini, Toxoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis, Cryptosporidial diarrhoea, Cytomegolo virus infection, and P.Marneffea infections.
HIV TEST
1. If you have engaged in unprotected sex outside a mutual monogamous relationship, or shared needles using drugs, take an HIV test.
2. Early detection and treatment slows the growth of HIV.
HIV TREATMENT
1. As single-drug therapies have effects which last only for a limited duration, are also very expensive and have severe adverse reactions, while the virus tends to develop resistance quickly, the emphasis is on giving a combination of drugs including newer expensive drugs called protease inhibitors.
2. Therefore, WHO’s policy advocates strengthening of clinical management for opportunistic infections with better care programmes to prolong survival and improve the quality of life of
people living with HIV/AIDS.
3. If you are pregnant and infected with HIV, you may be able to reduce the risk to your unborn child by getting treatment early.
4. By following certain steps and precautions, women with HIV/AIDS can and do have families too.