 stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus  HIV causes AIDS  You can be infected with HIV (you can’t “catch” AIDS, you can catch HIV)

 A  A -Acquired (you get it)  I  I - Immune (your ability to fight infections)  D  D - Deficiency (not enough)  S  S - Syndrome (a group of problems)

 AIDS is a condition that develops after being infected with HIV.  Once infected with HIV, there is an incubation period, time before symptoms of AIDS appear. This can sometimes be over 10 years.

 HIV attacks and kills the cells of the immune system (T-cells).  Person eventually dies because their immune system is not strong enough to fight infections. This is AIDS.

 The body’s immune system is unable to fight disease to keep the body healthy. This leads to: Opportunistic infections pneumonia rapid weight loss cancer

 Through exchanging fluids with an infected individual.  Fluids found to transmit the virus:  Blood  Semen  Vaginal Fluids  Breast Milk

 Drug users sharing intravenous (IV) needles  Through contaminated needles used when piercing (ear, body) or tattooing is done.

 Semen and vaginal fluids carry HIV.  During sexual contact, the virus can cross through microscopic abrasions (tiny tears in the skin).

 pregnant mothers with HIV pass the virus to the unborn baby through the birth process  Breast feeding can pass HIV too

 Since 1985 blood donors are screened and blood is tested for the virus.

 kissing  hand holding/hugging  sports  sharing eating utensils  Why?  There are not enough white blood cells in urine, tears, or saliva to infect someone.

 Blood tests count how many t-cells are in the blood. An infected individual will have a low t- cell count.

 Combination therapy – a combination of several drugs that lengthen the incubation period of HIV  Drugs that treat opportunistic infections  All treatments only delay the progress of AIDS. There is no cure for the disease.

 33.2 million people now live with HIV or AIDS.  In 2007, it is estimated that 2.1 million people died of AIDS in the world.  Every day, over 6800 people become infected with HIV - almost five people per minute.  5700 people die from AIDS every day.  It is estimated that 2.5 million people were newly infected in 2007.

 At the end of 2003, an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 persons in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS (  In the U.S., in 2006, persons aged and persons aged accounted for the largest proportions of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases.  Ages made up 15% of 2006 cases

 Stay drug free  Keep blood, semen, and vaginal fluids away from these openings into the bloodstream:  Mouth  Genitals (Penis, Vagina)  Anus or Rectum  Cuts, rashes, or other openings in the skin.  Success Rates of condoms in preventing HIV spread:  85 – 98% effective (*inconsistent use, awkwardness, inexperience, slippage, poor storage, under influence of alcohol or other drug all contribute to failure)

Many sexually transmitted diseases go undetected. If a person is sexually active:  They should get a check up for STIs (sexually transmitted infections)  If they are infected, they must get treated  If they are infected, they must notify their sex partner(s)  They must protect themselves from further infection!