The HIV virus

History of HIV Researchers found the earliest case of HIV in a blood sample of a man from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s said that the virus spread from chimpanzees to humans sometime before 1931, most likely during “bushmeat trading.” While hunting chimpanzees, hunters would come in contact with animal blood. Before the 1980s, researchers estimate that about 100,000 to 300,000 people were infected with HIV. The earliest case was confirmed in 1968, in Robert Rayford, a 16-year-old teenager, who never left the Midwest or received a blood transfusion. This suggests that HIV and AIDS may have been present in the United States before 1966.

Symptoms of HIV Soon after infection with HIV, some people have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, or rash. The symptoms may come and go for a month or two after infection. Later stages of the virus people can begin to have night sweats, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin. Patients may feel confused, trouble concentrating, or personality changes.

How to contract HIV Activities That Put You At Risk for HIV Infection Sexual contact that involves semen, pre-ejaculation, vaginal fluids or blood. Direct blood contact, particularly through sharing injection drug needles or 'works' (cotton, cookers, etc). Infections due to blood transfusions, accidents in health care settings or certain blood products. This is possible, although extremely rare, in the United States. Mother to baby (before or during birth, or while breastfeeding through breast milk)

Treatment/Cure for HIV Although there is no cure for HIV right now there is treatment for people with the virus. The use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection is called antiretroviral therapy or (ART) for short. ART prevents HIV from multiplying and reduces the amount of HIV in the body. Having less HIV in the body protects the immune system and prevents HIV infection from advancing to AIDS.

Facts about HIV Fifteen countries account for nearly 75 percent of all people living with HIV. Celebrities such Freddie Mercury and Magic Johnson were HIV positive About 30 million people have died from HIV/AIDS-related causes since its discovery in 1981. Gay and bisexual men of all races are the most radically affected by HIV in the US.

Image of the HIV virus attacking T-lymphocytes When the virus attacks the T- lymphocytes it steals their genetic machinery, thereby forcing them to produce more copies of the virus.

Quiz What activities put you at risk of HIV Name a celebrity with HIV What group of people are at higher risk of contracting HIV How does HIV affect the body