1. What is HIV/AIDS?

2. HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus Leads to AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

3. How it Began… Exact origins are unknown, many theories
First known of HIV was in Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, in 1959
Has been in US since at least the 1970s
In the 80s doctors noticed cases of rare types of pneumonia, cancer and other illnesses in NY and LA among gay men

4. How do you Become Infected with HIV?
Coming in contact with blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk
Having sex (oral, anal, or vaginal) with an infected person
Sharing a needle with an infected person
Being born when your mother is infected
Drinking the breast milk of an infected person

5. HIV Symptoms You first become infected with HIV, not AIDS
Some people have no symptoms
Others have flu-like symptoms for a few weeks
Fever, headache, sore muscles and joints, swollen lymph nodes, stomach ache, skin rash
Some have described this as the “worst flu ever”
Virus multiplies in your body
You may not test positive for a few months, but still can spread the virus
Some people stay healthy for up to 10 years after the first flu-like symptoms

6. HIV  AIDS Your immune system will start to respond
Your body creates antibodies
The virus attacks your CD4 cells
These are T-cells, which help fight infections
Healthy people have between 500-1,500 CD4 cells per milliliter of blood
When your CD4 levels dip below 200, you have AIDS

7. HIV  AIDS

8. AIDS
When you have AIDS your body cannot fight off infections very well
Most people die from a specific type of pneumonia or cancer
Some people never get sick, they only carry the HIV virus
There is no cure

9. Surviving HIV and AIDS
There are medications that can help your immune system fight off infections
These medications are very expensive and have to be taken every day
Many people cannot afford the medication
PEP & PrEP