(HIV) Danielle A. Cook Anthropology 150 W 10:00 Health and Disease

Defining HIV HIV is a pathogenic retro virus that causes acquired immune deficiency (AIDS) by attacking and destroying the immune system’s T cells. HIV is a pathogenic retro virus that causes acquired immune deficiency (AIDS) by attacking and destroying the immune system’s T cells. Retro viruses are viruses that have RNA as their genetic material, and that reproduce by transcribing that RNA into DNA and then inserting the DNA into the chromosomes of a host cell. Retro viruses are viruses that have RNA as their genetic material, and that reproduce by transcribing that RNA into DNA and then inserting the DNA into the chromosomes of a host cell. HIV is constructed of an outer envelope, a protein coat, and inner protein capsule; containing RNA and the enzyme which copies the RNA into DNA when the virus infects a cell. HIV is constructed of an outer envelope, a protein coat, and inner protein capsule; containing RNA and the enzyme which copies the RNA into DNA when the virus infects a cell.

Background info on HIV HIV originated in West African chimpanzees, and was transferred to humans. HIV originated in West African chimpanzees, and was transferred to humans. -HIV was somehow (still unknown) transferred from ape to human Some scientists (such as Edward Hooper) believe that HIV was transferred via contaminated vaccines. Some scientists (such as Edward Hooper) believe that HIV was transferred via contaminated vaccines.

AIDS AND HIV AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome – It refers to the highly developed stages of infectious HIV HIV can be latent for many years after a person is first infected HIV can be latent for many years after a person is first infected HIV becomes AIDS when the cells of the immune system reach a certain low count HIV becomes AIDS when the cells of the immune system reach a certain low count – Low count equals fewer than two hundred CD4 cells HIV causes AIDS HIV causes AIDS – Having HIV does not mean that you have AIDS Diseases that are life-threatening is the cause of death in many people with AIDS, due to immune system’s inability to fight off the disease. Diseases that are life-threatening is the cause of death in many people with AIDS, due to immune system’s inability to fight off the disease.

AIDS AND HIV STATISTICS Prevalence of AIDS (compared to whites) Prevalence of AIDS (compared to whites) – 6 times higher in African Americans (is a leading killer of males) – 3 times higher in Hispanics Over 600,000 cases of AIDS have been seen since 1981 Over 600,000 cases of AIDS have been seen since 1981 Over 900,000 people are infected with HIV Over 900,000 people are infected with HIV 40,000 new infections occur each year in the U.S. 40,000 new infections occur each year in the U.S. AIDS and HIV are growing very fast in today’s society AIDS and HIV are growing very fast in today’s society One-third of HIV is transmitted through vaginal intercourse One-third of HIV is transmitted through vaginal intercourse One-third of infected people do not know they have HIV One-third of infected people do not know they have HIV

MORE STATISTIS One in every four newborns whose mothers are HIV positive has the deadly virus. One in every four newborns whose mothers are HIV positive has the deadly virus. – It is spread during pregnancy or birth The spread of HIV can be prevented by taking some necessary precautions The spread of HIV can be prevented by taking some necessary precautions HIV is not only transmitted through intercourse between two males, but also through sexual intercourse with males and females HIV is not only transmitted through intercourse between two males, but also through sexual intercourse with males and females

Symptoms of HIV Symptoms can become noticeable within a few days, however, most are not seen until 3 to 4 weeks after the person comes in contact Some symptoms may include flu like characteristics Any number of diseases characteristic of immunodeficiency can be seen as well Characteristics listed may not all be seen, however, more than one is common more often than not.

Symptoms (cont.) Symptoms of HIV may include: -Abdominal cramps -Vomiting-Fever -Muscle aches and joint pain -Diarrhea -Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin -Headache -Skin rash -Sore throat -Weight loss -Flu like symptoms

How is HIV spread in humans? HIV is spread through blood, semen or vaginal fluids from an infected person that enters another person’s body, usually through sexual intercourse. HIV is spread through blood, semen or vaginal fluids from an infected person that enters another person’s body, usually through sexual intercourse. HIV may enter someone’s body through a break in the lining of the rectum, vagina, urethra or mouth. HIV may enter someone’s body through a break in the lining of the rectum, vagina, urethra or mouth % of cases are spread through sexual contact % of cases are spread through sexual contact. Others ways that HIV are spread include heredity, sharing needles, syringes, cookers, cotton, spoons, or eyedroppers, which can be used for injecting illegal drugs or even steroids. Others ways that HIV are spread include heredity, sharing needles, syringes, cookers, cotton, spoons, or eyedroppers, which can be used for injecting illegal drugs or even steroids.

Prevention methods for the spread of HIV Use protection when having sexual intercourse. Use protection when having sexual intercourse. Get yourself and your partner tested for HIV before sexual contact Get yourself and your partner tested for HIV before sexual contact If you think that you may have come in contact with HIV, you need to get tested, but be sure that you have waited the appropriate length of time so that the antibodies will be seen in the sample taken (usually 2 to 3 months after coming in contact with the virus) If you think that you may have come in contact with HIV, you need to get tested, but be sure that you have waited the appropriate length of time so that the antibodies will be seen in the sample taken (usually 2 to 3 months after coming in contact with the virus) Know the history of your partner before having any kind of sexual intercourse. Know the history of your partner before having any kind of sexual intercourse.

Is there a cure for HIV? HIV is not curable and AIDS is not curable HIV is not curable and AIDS is not curable New drugs may “hold-off” viral reproductive temporarily, which postpones AIDS New drugs may “hold-off” viral reproductive temporarily, which postpones AIDS The time frame that the new drugs work depends on the person that is taking them and their immune system’s ability to still fight off infections The time frame that the new drugs work depends on the person that is taking them and their immune system’s ability to still fight off infections When HIV progresses into AIDS, there are no drugs that can be taken to stop the virus from being fatal When HIV progresses into AIDS, there are no drugs that can be taken to stop the virus from being fatal