Transmission & Prevention HIV and AIDS Transmission & Prevention

Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV is a virus that is passed through unsafe contact with infected persons and impairs the immune system. HIV eventually turns into AIDS. What is it?

HIV does not get you, you have to go out and get it HIV does not get you, you have to go out and get it. It’s a matter of lifestyle CHOICES that you make. This virus only lives in certain body fluids such as: blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, and spinal fluid. If you are exposing yourself to any of these body fluids, then you could potentially be exposing yourself to HIV. HIV is not passed through tears, sweat, or saliva. Where is it found?

1. Sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral, anal) with an infected person 2. sharing a drug needle with an infected person 3. unsterile tattoo or piercing needles 4. infected mother to unborn child or through breast milk How is it transmitted?

How is it NOT transmitted? Which actions are safe? 1. Casual contact: hugging, shaking hands, playing sports, sharing school supplies, or gym equipment. 2. toilet seats 3. drinking cups or eating utensils 4. coughing or sneezing (airborne) 5. pools or saunas 6. animals 7.mosquitoes 8. caring for an AIDS patient using universal precautions How is it NOT transmitted? Which actions are safe?

How does HIV turn into AIDS? 1.HIV viruses start to take over the T-cells. The HIVs begin to replicate their genetic material to make new HIVs and the T-cell is destroyed. 2.Initial flu-like symptoms appear within one- twelve weeks and soon pass. The person continues to feel good for a number of years but HIV is still doing damage to the T-cells inside the body. 3.An average of 11 years after infection the immune system starts to fail. The person begins to develop opportunistic diseases/infections. 4.The T-cell count drops to 200/cubic mL of blood or less resulting in the symptoms that define AIDS. How does HIV turn into AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a life threatening disease that impairs the body’s ability to fight infection (impairs the immune system). What is AIDS?

What Are Opportunistic Infections? Kaposis Sarcoma: A skin cancer that causes purple lesions Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)-- a rare form of pneumonia Candidiasis, or thrush -- an explosive fungus growth that can occur in the mouth, throat, windpipe or on the skin. Toxoplasmosis -- a parasite that infects the brain and can cause brain damage and blindness Cytomegalovirus (CMV) -- a member of the herpes family of viruses and one of the leading causes of blindness and death in people with AIDS. What Are Opportunistic Infections?

How Can I Prevent HIV Infection? If you are going to have sexual intercourse with someone, get to know that person and have an open and honest relationship. Always use condoms-consistently and correctly. Abstinence is the best choice for prevention. Do not have sex with someone who has multiple sex partners or uses drug needles. Never use injection drugs. If you choose to get a piercing or tattoo, make sure a new needle is used on you and you only. Never share personal items that may come into contact with body fluids such as: toothbrushes, tweezers, razors, earrings, dental floss. How Can I Prevent HIV Infection?

The most widely accepted theory is that HIV mutated from the SIV virus in a species of monkeys in West Africa. The virus crossed species through the bush meat trade, where hunters would kill and slaughter monkeys for food. In the event that there were cuts, scratches, or bites on their hands/arms, which there often times was, the infected monkey blood would get into their bloodstream through those wounds. The virus started spreading slowly through African villages as early as the 1930s. The virus became more mobile as society became more mobile (transportation innovations). Where Did HIV Come From?

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