Health Lesson: Day 3 Chapter 25, Lesson 4: Treatment for HIV and AIDS

Stages of HIV Infection The HIV infection develops in stages over the course of several years. A person is considered infectious immediately after contracting the virus. Approximately ½ of all persons develop symptoms about 3-6 weeks after becoming infected with HIV. Symptoms may include: Fever Rash Headache Body aches Swollen glands

Stages of HIV Infection After the flu-like symptoms disappear a person enters the asymptomatic stage, a period of time during which a person infected with HIV has no symptoms. A person may show no signs of illness for 6 months to 10 years or more… however the viruses continue to grow and the infected person can still transmit the virus to others.

Symptomatic HIV Infection During the asymptomatic stage, the immune system keeps pace with HIV infection by producing billions of new cells. Eventually, though, the number of cells in the immune system declines to the point where other infections start to take over. This marks the symptomatic stage, the stage in which a person infected with HIV has symptoms as a result of a severe drop in immune cells. Symptoms may include: Swollen glands, weight loss, and yeast infections.

Detecting HIV Individuals who think they may have been exposed to HIV should seek testing from a health care professional immediately. Testing to determine the presence of the virus can be done by a private physician or at a hospital, a health clinic, or a local health department. Most states have laws to protect the confidentiality of test results.

Detecting HIV- EIA Test The first test usually performed is an EIA- a test that screens for the presence of HIV antibodies in the blood. The EIA reacts to even small numbers of HIV antibodies. EIA may give inaccurate results Developing antibodies takes time Certain health conditions give a false positive reading

Detecting HIV- Western Blot Test If the EIA test is positive, it will be repeated to make sure the results are accurate. If the repeat test is also positive, other confirmation tests will be done. The Western Blot Test, or WB, is the most common confirmation test for HIV in the United States. The WB test is 100% accurate in the detection of HIV If all 3 of these tests are positive, a person is determined to have HIV. These individuals are referred to as HIV-positive.

Availability of Health Services In early 1980’s there were no treatments for HIV Several medications have been developed to treat HIV and to treat and prevent the complications of opportunistic infections. New treatments have extended and improved the quality of life. None of the drugs cure HIV/AIDS Treatment can be costly, exceeding $1000 a month. Worldwide, many infected individuals do not have access to treatment because of high costs and lack of availability.

Health Skills Activity Helping Others Mitch’s high school class was looking for a service project when he learned that his older brother was HIV positive. He asked what he could do to help. Mitch’s brother, Chris, said there was plenty he could do, “My doctor told me there are a lot of people who can’t even go out and buy food.” Mitch suggested to his classmates that they consider a local service project. “We can help people closer to home,” said Mitch. “We can deliver meals to people who are sick and can’t get out of their homes to buy food.” He suggested they volunteer for a local Meals on Wheels program. Some of the students were concerned about being in contact with sick people. Others worried about the time commitment. Another group of students mentioned that they didn’t drive and wouldn’t be able to deliver meals.

Health Skills Activity National Health Education Standard #3 Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and reduce health risks. Objectives: Analyze the role of individual responsibility for enhancing health. Evaluate a personal health assessment to determine strategies for health enhancement and risk reduction. Demonstrate ways to avoid and reduce threatening situations. Motivator You have 2 minutes to list questions you have about safety. Work with a group to complete the activity.

Activity- What would you do? Apply these steps to help Mitch make a health-enhancing decision. 1. State the situation. 2. Obtain more information. 3. Weigh the possible outcomes. 4. Consider values. 5. Make a decision and act. 6. Evaluate the decision.

Abstinence and HIV/AIDS A person who remains aware of consequences knows various strategies when making decisions related to health needs and risks of young adults. Remember: Avoid situations and events where drug use or the pressure to engage in sexual activity is likely to occur. Practice refusal skills. Be firm when you refuse to take part in drug use or sexual activity. Choose your relationships carefully. Avoid beginning a dating relationship with someone whom you know is sexually active with another person.

Lesson Review 1. What is asymptomatic HIV infection? 2. When is a Western Blot test performed? 3. Why might people in the US have better access to AIDS treatment than people in developing nations? 4. What is the relationship between the avoidance of unsafe situations and the use of refusal skills such as sexual abstinence?