Basics of HIV and AIDS GEORGE CHAIPA LUNGU

CONDITIONS

Learning Objectives Define HIV and AIDS Describe the immune system, including CD4 cells and antibodies Describe the disease progression of HIV

How is Malawi affected? About 10.6% of Malawians infected with HIV Some awareness campaigns, but the number of people living with HIV and AIDS has remained steady But there is still need for education and behavior change to bring down the rate of HIV infection in Malawi

What is HIV? HIV: Human Immuno-deficiency Virus Virus that affects the immune system Causes AIDS

What is AIDS? AIDS: Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome Acquired: Passed from another source, not genetic Immune: The system that helps the body to fight against diseases Deficiency: Impairment of the immune system Syndrome: Collection of illnesses, not just one

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIV AND AIDS HIV is the virus that causes AIDS A person who has HIV may not appear sick Over time, the person becomes more ill with a variety of conditions Those conditions may lead to an AIDS diagnosis A person with HIV does not necessarily have AIDS

How is HIV Transmitted? 88% through unprotected hetero-sexual contact 10% through infected mother to child 2% through other modes e.g. Infected blood, use of invasive materials etc Sexual contact highest mode in Malawi Anal a most risky sexual practice Sexually transmitted infections increase risk of transmission Women more at risk than men

In summary HIV is contracted thru: Having unprotected sex with infected partners Through mother to Child transmission During pregnancy During delivery Breast feeding Through blood products such as; invasive materials, blood transfusion

How to Prevent HIV Transmission Safer sex Safer sex means sexual contact that does not involve any blood, semen or vaginal fluids being passed between partners. Safe blood Safe needles, safe razor blades Safe motherhood

In summary HIV can be prevented thru: Abstinence Being faithful to one uninfected partner Stay safe by condomizing correctly

What is the Immune System? --A Everyone has a natural immunity which acts as a shield against sickness We keep our shield strong by taking care of our health: Eating balance diet Managing stress Keeping fit

What is the Immune System? --B Our shield always minimises the impact of different illnesses in our body Despite having a strong shield, some sickness arrows can still pierce the human body One can still get sick at one time or another

What is the Immune System? --C The HIV virus works differently from other viruses, it does not make us sick by itself, it attacks our shield making tears and holes

What is the Immune System? --D With our shield gone, other illnesses like TB, malaria, etc. Can pass easily and with more strength. We call these, opportunistic infections

What is the Immune System? --E Even if HIV+, we still feel strong and well This is because we still have strong shield, and fewer HIV arrows. We cannot see this outside

What is the Immune System? --F Over time, this begins to change. More HIV arrows are produced which attack more of our shield.

What is the Immune System? --F Slowly the person may start showing some signs of the infection like weight loss. The shield inside is getting severely affected.

What is the Immune System? --G With full blown AIDS, there are many HIV arrows in our bodies, and almost no shield left to defend us.

What is the Immune System? --G Here, the shield has collapsed. This time the person becomes incapacitated because of multiple illnesses like TB, skin cancer and others can easily invade the body

Important Points Many people with HIV look and feel healthy After HIV gets into a person’s body, it will stay forever. HIV can not be cured Over time, HIV causes damage to the immune system A person with damaged immune system gets sick often After some time, the person may be diagnosed with AIDS

Window Period Window period lasts from the time a person is first infected until they develop enough antibodies to test positive on an HIV antibody test A person who is positive may test negative during this time From 4-6 weeks for most people For some people, it may take up to 12 weeks. This is very rare The virus can still be passed to others

HIV & AIDS PROFILE National prevalence is at 10.6% (urban 17.4% and rural 8.9%). Higher in women at 12.9% versus men at 8.1%. Higher among women with more than secondary education at 16.3% (men 11.9%) versus non-educated women at 14.1% (10.9% men). HIV prevalence is also high among widowed women at 50.1% and among divorcees (24.8% female and 20.7% men). Prevalence is highest in Southern Region at 14.5% against 7.6% for Central and 6.6% for northern region. HIV prevalence among young women aged 15-24 is 2.7 times than among young men aged 15.24, at 5.2% and 1.9% respectively against a national figure of 3.6%

HIV Prevalence by Region Northern 6.6% Central 7.6% Southern 14.5% Percent HIV positive, men and women age 15-49

What Behaviours are Facilitating New HIV Infections? Multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships(Unfaithfulness) Discordancy in long term couples Low and inconsistent condom use in high risk sex Late initiation of ART Transactional sex Gender inequalities that fuels GBV and leads to low negotiation power women Low uptake of VMMC Harmful cultural practices

Other Contributing Factors of HIV & AIDS in Malawi Knowledge gap on issues of HIV/AIDS Low risk perception among many Malawians e.g., sex without a condom is sweeter & fetches more money (prostitutes) Harmful cultural sexual beliefs & practices eg fisi, chokolo, kulowa, kufa etc Religious beliefs ie condoms promote promiscuity

Other Contributing Factors of HIV & AIDS in Malawi Incorrect condom use during sex Gender inequalities Peer pressure, pornography High stigma & discrimination related to HIV/AIDS Resistance to change

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