1. The Basics

2. HIV infection is a lifelong condition that can be managed with the proper care and treatment. In this presentation, you will learn about: HIV and AIDS Taking care of yourself Talking to your healthcare provider about HIV and mapping out a treatment plan The Basics

3. HIV is a virus — a microscopic organism that uses the cells in your body to make more copies of itself. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus Why is HIV so dangerous?

4. Your body has an immune system that protects you from bacteria and viruses that can make you sick. CD4+ cells are an important part of your immune system.

5. HIV attacks the CD4+ cells in your immune system

6. HIV attaches to the CD4+ cell and then gets inside of it.

7. HIV uses the CD4+ cell to make copies of itself. These HIV copies then attack other CD4+ cells in your body.

8. If it is not stopped, HIV can make millions of copies of itself and destroy many CD4+ cells.

9. This process weakens your immune system. It’s important to keep your CD4+ cell count high.

10. All HIV medications share the same goals: To lower the amount of HIV virus in the body. To help keep the person’s CD4+ cell count as high as possible.

11. There are 6 different classes of HIV medication. Entry Inhibitors and Fusion Inhibitors block HIV from entering the CD4+ cell.

12. NRTIs, NNRTIs, PIs, and Integrase Inhibitors keep HIV from making more HIV copies within the CD4+ cell.

13. Resistance is when the HIV virus changes and resists the HIV medication, making the medication less effective. It’s important to know that taking your medicines as instructed can help prevent resistance.

14. HIV attacks and weakens your immune system. Medicine can help lower the amount of HIV virus in your body and help keep your CD4+ cell count as high as possible. Your healthcare provider can help you find HIV medication that’s right for you.

15. HIV attacks and weakens your immune system. Medicine can help lower the amount of HIV virus in your body and help keep your CD4+ cell count as high as possible. Your healthcare provider can help you find HIV medication that’s right for you. © 2010 Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ 08543 U.S.A. VIUS10UBPI15601 06/10