TIMELINE

 1 st wave – mid 1970’s –The Invisible Wave  2 nd wave – early 1980’s – HIV/AIDS discovered * 1981 – 6 cases of pneumocystic pneumonia diagnosed in 6 gay men * 1983 – discovery of virus – HIV * 3 rd wave – mid 1980’s – Beginning of economic and political consequences.

 At first AIDS was known as the Gay Plague or Gay Cancer and was believed to be only a homosexual disease.  Today, millions of people – homosexual/heterosexual – are diagnosed with HIV  Today, HIV/AIDS is NO longer a death sentence due to amazing medical advances.

 Potential for risk based upon viral load.  Viral Load – the amount of the virus found in a body fluid  Presentation of high to low body fluids.

 If HIV infection is a train on a track, traveling towards the destination of AIDS, the CD4 count is how far away the train is from AIDS and the viral load is how fast the train is moving

 Goal once one is HIV positive – keep the CD4 count high and the viral load count low.  That is the battle to be fought!

 Window period – weeks that the virus can be undetectable - CD4 count is normal

 Asymptomatic Period - person has little to no symptoms CD4 count is greater than 500 Last for years!

 SYMPTOMS - variety of illness, symptoms, and diseases develop - CD4 count drops below 500

 Official AIDS - opportunistic diseases develop - CD4 count below 200