HIV/AIDS Health Mr. Christman

Objectives 1) Describe how HIV affects and destroys the immune system. 2) Identify behaviors known to transmit HIV. 3) Compare the relationship between unsafe behaviors and the risk of HIV infection.

HIV and AIDS In July of 1981 an outbreak of a rare form of skin cancer known as Kaposi’s sarcoma was reported. The CDC labeled the disease as acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS. AIDS is a disease which weakens the immune system.

HIV and AIDS That year more than 1,600 cases of AIDS were reported and more than 700 deaths resulted from the newly identified disease. Two years later, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was confirmed as the cause of AIDS. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system.

HIV and AIDS Now, AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among adults from 25 to 44 years old.

Teens at Risk Data indicates that teens have the fastest growing rate of HIV infection in the United States and many young adults who are currently dying from AIDS were infected in their teens.

Teens at Risk Infection with HIV can be prevented. Teens who chose abstinence from sexual activity and from injecting drugs greatly reduce their risk of HIV infection. Teens who chose to refrain from these activities show that they know strategies when making decisions related to health needs and risks of young adults.

HIV and the Human Body Lymphocytes are white blood cells that help your body fight pathogens. Your body contains billions of lymphocytes, which are produced in bone marrow and are found in the blood.

HIV and the Human Body When HIV enters the blood, it invades certain cells of the immune system which help the lymphocytes identify and destroy pathogens. The virus takes over the cells and cause them to produce new copies of themselves.

HIV and the Human Body The newly produced virus then breaks out of the cell and infects other cells around it and the whole process repeats itself.

HIV and the Human Body 5 Stages: 1) HIV attaches to the cell surface 2) Virus enters the cell and infects the nucleus 3) Virus makes a copy of itself 4) The new virus assembles at the cell surface 5) The new virus breaks away from original cell and infects other cells

HIV and the Human Body As the number of virus infected cells increases, the immune system becomes less capable of preventing infections and cancer. Because of this the body becomes more susceptible to common infections and to opportunistic infections.

HIV and the Human Body Opportunistic infections are infections that occur in people who do not have health immune systems. These infections are extremely difficult to treat and because of the weakened immune system, the infected person suffers one illness after another.

How HIV is Transmitted HIV lives inside cells and body fluids. However, it does not survive well in the air or on surfaces such as toilet seats or telephones. It cannot be transmitted through food. A person is not at risk of HIV infection by working next to or being in the same classroom as an infected person or by merely touching an infected person.

How HIV is Transmitted HIV can be transmitted only through certain fluids; 1) Blood 2) Semen 3) Vaginal fluids 4) Breast milk and transmission takes place during three main behaviors.

How HIV is Transmitted 1) Sexual Intercourse: HIV can be transmitted during any form of sexual intercourse. During intercourse, secretions containing HIV can enter a person’s blood through tiny cuts in the body.

How HIV is Transmitted 2) Sharing Needles: People who inject drugs and share needles are at high risk for contracting and spreading HIV. If a person who is infected with HIV injects drugs, the needle or syringe can become contaminated with that person’s blood. Anyone who uses that same needle or syringe can inject HIV directly into his or her blood stream.

How HIV is Transmitted 3) Mother to Baby: A pregnant female who is infected with HIV can pass the virus to her baby. HIV in the mother’s blood can be transmitted through the umbilical cord and during delivery. Also, because breast milk can contain HIV, a baby can receive HIV while nursing.

HIV and AIDS 1) HIV Transmission 2) Activity # 93: Reteaching 3) E-Expert