1. What is HIV&AIDS? Social Support Foundation (SSF)
Adwoa Serwaa Bonsu and Larissa Bolliger
October 2016

2. What is the immune system?
The immune system is the body’s defense against infections and illness
It is made out of cells, proteins, tissues, and organs
A T cell is a type of white blood cell that is of key importance to the immune system
T cells are like soldiers who search out and destroy the targeted invaders
But why is it important in connection with HIV&AIDS?
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3. What is HIV? HIV = human immune deficiency virus
HIV destroys the immune system; the T cell 
HIV multiples itself in the T cell and goes on to others
-> the body can’t fight infections properly anymore
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4. What is the difference between HIV&AIDS?
A person who is infected is called HIV positive, but doesn’t feel sick (yet)
HIV destroys more and more T cells until the person develops AIDS, then the person starts to feel sick
AIDS = acquired immune deficiency syndrome
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5. What are the symptoms of Hiv&AIDS?
Fever
Chills
Rash
Night sweats
Muscle aches
Sore throat
Coughing
Fatigue
Swollen lymph nodes
Mouth ulcers
Rapid weight loss
Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
Extreme and unexplained tiredness
Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
Diarrhea that lasts for more than a month
Sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals
Pneumonia
Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
Memory loss, depression, and other neurologic disorders
Premature menopause
Prolonged coughing
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6. How many people are living with HIV?
Worldwide in 2015
36.7 million people globally were living with HIV
2.1 million people became newly infected with HIV
1.1 million people died from AIDS
Ghana in 2015
HIV prevalence in Ghana: 1.6%
HIV prevalence in the Ashanti-Region: 2.7%
HIV prevalence in Obuasi – pregnant women: 4.0%
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7. How is hiv spread?
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8. How is hiv not spread?
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9. How is HIV diagnosed?
The blood or saliva is used to test for HIV, after that a second test is done (confirmation test)
For a person living with HIV, regular blood tests are done to check, how many T cells are left = viral load (risk estimation of AIDS development)
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10. How is HIV treated?
HIV can be treated, but HIV can not be cured -> management of opportunistic diseases
The treatment is a combination of medicines called antiretroviral therapy (ART)
ART prevents HIV of multiplying itself -> protects the immune system
ART can…
control the virus so that you can live a longer, healthier life
reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others
Special ART for pregnant women, to lower the risk of mother-to-child-transmission
ART is available at the Government Hospital in Obuasi (Amangoase)
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11. How do people living with hiv prevent opportunistic diseases?
Avoid the exposure of infections:
Cat litter and excreta or saliva of farm animals, wild animals, and pets
Animal bites and scratches
Persons with skin infections
Raw meats, eggs, and shellfish; unwashed raw fruits and vegetables
Unpasteurized dairy products
Drinking untreated lake or river water
Human fecal-oral contact
Drugs, alcohol and tobacco
Other sexually transmitted diseases
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12. How can i protect myself against an Hiv-infection?
A abstinence
B be faithful
C use a condom
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13. Living with HIV&AIDS
People living with HIV have to take medicines every day and have to go to routinely check-ups
With proper treatment, living without developing AIDS is possible for many years
If you know somebody living with HIV&AIDS, treat them as every other friend or family member
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14. Towards a world without hiv&AIDs
Help us to fight against HIV&AIDS and tell your friends and family members what you learned today!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us:
Larissa Bolliger:
Louis Acheampong (Executive Director SSF):
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15. Thank you very much for your attention! Social support foundation (SSF)