HIV & AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV) HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV circulates in the bloodstream and in other body fluids, such as semen and vaginal fluid Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) AIDS is a disease that interferes with the body’s ability to fight infection 1

Objective 1. Describe how HIV is transmitted and the ways to prevent the transmission of the HIV virus. 2

How does HIV destroy the immune system? HIV is a virus that attacks and kills the T cells (the most critical white blood cell in the body which fights infection) which, over time, will leave the HIV infected person without an effective immune system. As a result, the person’s severely weakened immune system cannot fight the HIV infection or any other infection. The person can now be described as having AIDS and will most likely die soon thereafter from other opportunistic diseases like pneumonia. 3

How is HIV transmitted? HIV is a communicable disease that can be spread in the following ways: 1. Having any form of sexual intercourse with an infected person 2. Using a contaminated needle or syringe; includes tattooing and body piercing 3. Breast feeding 4

How can you prevent the contraction of the HIV virus? 1. Abstinence from any sexual activity – 100% effective 2. Never using contaminated needles or syringes – 100% effective 5

HIV infecting a T cell 6