A disease caused by the HIV virus

Over 50% of all sexually transmitted diseases are caught by young people between the ages of 15 and 25

Aids comes from the Latin word “lentus” meaning Due to the long time span Due to the long time span From the initial viral infection and the symptoms of the disease From the initial viral infection and the symptoms of the disease

A - Acquired (virus is passed one to another ) I - Immunodeficiency (attacks immune system) D – Deficiency ( making it difficult to fight off diseases) S - Syndrome (conditions that characterize the disease)

People… Can be infected with the virus & not know it for up to 5 years or longer Can be infected with the virus & not know it for up to 5 years or longer They are capable of transmit Aids to unsuspecting people They are capable of transmit Aids to unsuspecting people May not develop Aids May not develop Aids

Virus is found in… 1. Blood 2. Semen & Vaginal Secretions 3. Body Fluids – Tears & Saliva

Not transmitted by… Casual contact – i.e. shaking hands or hugging Casual contact – i.e. shaking hands or hugging From insect bites From insect bites Or from sitting on toilet seats Or from sitting on toilet seats

Major Transmission Routes 1. Sexual Contact 2. Sharing needles & syringes 3. Passed from infected mother to baby

Before 1985 Donated blood was not tested and some people became infected – i.e. from blood transfusions after surgery or Hemophiliacs Donated blood was not tested and some people became infected – i.e. from blood transfusions after surgery or Hemophiliacs

High risk behavior Intravenous drug use Intravenous drug use Unprotected intercourse Unprotected intercourse Having intercourse with someone who has had several partners Having intercourse with someone who has had several partners

Symptoms of Aids: 1. Rapid weight loss 2. Shortness of breath 3. Dry cough 4. Recurring fever 5. Night sweats

6. Swollen glands (neck, underarm or groin) 7. Fatigue 8. Diarrhea that persists for more than two weeks

Common Diseases for Aids Victims: 1. Kaposis-sarcoma (purple lesions/skin cancer) 2. Pneumocystis-carinii (a type of pneumonia)

Testing: Elisa Test - looks for the antibodies that the body produces to fight off the aids virus Elisa Test - looks for the antibodies that the body produces to fight off the aids virus If found – the Western Blot or IFA tests are administered If found – the Western Blot or IFA tests are administered

Who Should be Tested? Anyone who’s had a STD Anyone who’s had a STD Persons who share a needle or syringe or had sex with a prostitute Persons who share a needle or syringe or had sex with a prostitute If you have had sex with anyone who has done any of the above If you have had sex with anyone who has done any of the above If you have been diagnosed with tuberculosis If you have been diagnosed with tuberculosis

Asymptomatic: Means that people infected do not exhibit any aids symptoms Means that people infected do not exhibit any aids symptoms They can infect others They can infect others

The Virus: Many different strains of aids because the structure is rapidly changing Many different strains of aids because the structure is rapidly changing

Aids rarely kills... Rather, it makes it hard to fight off other diseases that kill! Rather, it makes it hard to fight off other diseases that kill!

It’s your decision... Aids will infect millions of young people in your generation Aids will infect millions of young people in your generation Don’t be one of them! Don’t be one of them!

Abstinence- Saying No! to sex and very intimate behavior is the only way to be absolutely sure that you do not get the disease Saying No! to sex and very intimate behavior is the only way to be absolutely sure that you do not get the disease