HIV and AIDS Human Biology

What is AIDS? AIDS is a condition known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. The first cases of AIDS were identified more than 20 years ago in San Francisco and New York. Today it is estimated that more than 42 million people worldwide are living with HIV or AIDS.

How is HIV transmitted? The HIV virus is spread through contact with bodily fluids that include semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. It is normally spread when people engage in high-risk behaviours such as unprotected sex (oral, vaginal or anal) or the sharing of needles used to inject drugs or for tattooing.

What about physical contact? It is important to know that HIV is not transmitted through casual contact such as holding hands or hugging. It is also not transmitted through coughing or sneezing and you can’t catch it if you are sitting next to someone who has HIV.

Pregnant Mothers and HIV An HIV positive mother can pass the virus to her baby either before birth, during the birthing process or during breastfeeding once the baby is born. If doctors know a mother is HIV positive they can usually prevent the spread of HIV to the baby

How does HIV affect the body? The HIV virus pictured here destroys a specific defence cell in the human body known as CD4 helper lymphocyte. These cells are part of our bodies immune system that fights off disease and infections so people get serious infections; they are immune deficient.

How does HIV affect the body? The virus infects the cells and uses them to multiply (make more viruses). With the immune system not able to do its job the body loses its ability to fight off many diseases and infections.

HIV infection or AIDS People can live with HIV for many years before showing any signs or symptoms of infection. Antiviral medications can be taken to delay the onset of AIDS. Once the level of CD4 cells drop too low to fight infections the symptoms will start showing up. An AIDS diagnosis will be made once the CD4 levels are too low to fight infections and the person has specific illnesses or diseases that occur in people with HIV infections.

AIDS People with AIDS are also unable to fight off many serious and rare infections, particularly tuberculosis. They are prone to serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis (an infection of the covering of the brain), and encephalitis (an infection of the brain).

Signs and Symptoms of AIDS Extreme weight loss Rapid weight loss Frequent fevers that last for several weeks with no explanation Heavy sweating at night Swollen lymph glands Minor infections that cause skin rashes and mouth, genital, and anal sores. White spots in the mouth or throat Chronic diarrhea A cough that won’t go away Trouble remembering things

HIV and AIDS Prevention Preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS is complicated by the fact that people can have the virus for a long time and have no idea that they have been infected or that they may infect others. If a person engages in the high risk behaviors mentioned earlier they may unknowingly pass the HIV virus on to others. The next slide will outline ways to prevent transmission of the HIV virus.

HIV and AIDS Prevention Abstaining from sex (not having oral, vaginal or anal sex). Always using latex condoms for all types of sexual intercourse. Avoiding contact with bodily fluids through which HIV is transmitted. Never sharing needles.

Testing and Treatment If you or someone you know thinks they may have HIV or AIDS a doctor can perform a blood test. If the results are positive it is important to know that although there is no cure for AIDS there are antiviral medications and drugs available that can help boost your immune system and help you resist infections.

Latest Research There is some promising new research going on that suggests there may be hope for people living with HIV and AIDS. Scientists are trying a gene therapy approach where new genes that make CD4 cells resistant to the HIV virus. There is also stem cell research happening where stem cells are programmed to target and destroy HIV infected cells. The hope is that sometime in the near future we will have a cure for AIDS and a vaccine to prevent further infections.

Living with HIV and AIDS The social implications of living with HIV can be devastating. The infected individual will suffer injustices associated with the disease such as loss of job, income, insurance, and housing. Their families and friends will suffer grief and they may lose both friends and family. Next we are going to view a movie that explores these social implications. Although it is a Hollywood movie it is a very honest and raw look at what it would be like to live with AIDS.

Philadelphia – The Movie Andrew Beckett, a gay lawyer infected with AIDS, is fired from his conservative law firm in fear that they might contract AIDS from him. After Andrew is fired, in a last attempt for peace, he sues his former law firm with the help of a homophobic lawyer, Joe Miller. During the court battle, Miller sees that Beckett is no different than anyone else on the gritty streets of the city of brotherly love, sheds his homophobia and helps Beckett with his case before AIDS overcomes him. Written by Geoffrey A. Middleton A. Middleton