HIV/Aids

Overview “The most serious disease epidemic of our time.” “The most serious disease epidemic of our time.” Caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus Caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus Recently tied to wild chimpanzees through contact with their blood around 1931 Recently tied to wild chimpanzees through contact with their blood around 1931 Targets and destroys cells which coordinate our immune system leaving us vulnerable to diseases and cancers Targets and destroys cells which coordinate our immune system leaving us vulnerable to diseases and cancers

Incidence By 2004, 900,00 cases in U.S. with 500,000 deaths By 2004, 900,00 cases in U.S. with 500,000 deaths Currently, 850,000 are living with HIV Currently, 850,000 are living with HIV 40,000 new cases a year 40,000 new cases a year Dramatic increases for teens Dramatic increases for teens Worldwide 5 million new cases a year Worldwide 5 million new cases a year 42 million suffer from it 42 million suffer from it Another 45 mil. by 2006? Another 45 mil. by 2006?

Transmission HIV typically enters the body through unprotected bodily fluid exchanges during oral-genital, vaginal or anal intercourse HIV typically enters the body through unprotected bodily fluid exchanges during oral-genital, vaginal or anal intercourse An additional 20% contract via contaminated needles An additional 20% contract via contaminated needles Children can also contract from mother before or during birth or through breast feeding Children can also contract from mother before or during birth or through breast feeding

Symptoms Often it begins with a brief flulike illness a few weeks after infection Often it begins with a brief flulike illness a few weeks after infection Fevers, swollen lymph glands, rashes, loss of appetite, muscle aches Fevers, swollen lymph glands, rashes, loss of appetite, muscle aches Then bloody stools, repeated fevers, and especially, oral candidiasis Then bloody stools, repeated fevers, and especially, oral candidiasis Eventually antibodies to the virus are detectable through blood tests Eventually antibodies to the virus are detectable through blood tests

Course As HIV spreads, the body loses its ability to defend itself As HIV spreads, the body loses its ability to defend itself Within 8-11 years one or more severe diseases attack Within 8-11 years one or more severe diseases attack Pneumonia, encephalitis, fungal infections, salmonella are all common Pneumonia, encephalitis, fungal infections, salmonella are all common Now improvement in drug therapies has slowed the former rapid descent to death Now improvement in drug therapies has slowed the former rapid descent to death

Treatment No cure No cure Thousands of scientists worldwide are trying to cure or prevent Thousands of scientists worldwide are trying to cure or prevent In 1996 a drug which inhibits the virus’ copying abilities emerged In 1996 a drug which inhibits the virus’ copying abilities emerged HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) has stymied the virus HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) has stymied the virus Complicated regimen, toxic side-effects Complicated regimen, toxic side-effects

Prevention To be completely safe, no interpersonal sexual contact or a monogamous, mutually faithful relationship To be completely safe, no interpersonal sexual contact or a monogamous, mutually faithful relationship Short of that: Short of that: don’t share needles don’t share needles avoid contact with semen avoid contact with semen keep away from anuses, urine, sex workers keep away from anuses, urine, sex workers

Preventing STD Transmission Preventing STD Transmission Pleas for abstinence and dissemination of educational materials have failed to stem the tide Pleas for abstinence and dissemination of educational materials have failed to stem the tide Perhaps advice concerning assessing risk rather than insisting on abstinence is the most practical path Perhaps advice concerning assessing risk rather than insisting on abstinence is the most practical path

Assessing Risk Look to yourself first – get a comprehensive screening Look to yourself first – get a comprehensive screening Spend a lot of time with your prospective partner before engaging in sexual activity Spend a lot of time with your prospective partner before engaging in sexual activity Swimming against the cultural tide Swimming against the cultural tide Self-disclosure – but many lie Self-disclosure – but many lie

Obtain prior medical exams, costs can be controlled Obtain prior medical exams, costs can be controlled Use condoms Use condoms Avoid multiple partners Avoid multiple partners Wash, inspect, inform Wash, inspect, inform