AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus

Outline

Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Prevention
Treatment
Testing

Definition
AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency
syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome) is a disease caused by a virus
called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency
Virus). The illness alters the immune
system, making people much more
vulnerable to infections and diseases. This
susceptibility worsens as the disease
progresses

Symptoms:
Early HIV Infection:

Fever
Chills
Joint Pain
Muscle Ache
Sore Throat
Sweating
Enlarged glands
Red Rash
Tiredness
Weakness
Weight Loss

Symptoms:
Asymptomatic Phase:
This process can take up to 10 years. The
infected person will experience no
symptoms, feel well and appear healthy.

Symptoms:
Late stage HIV Infection:

Blurred Vision
Diarrhea ( persistent or chronic)
Dry Cough
Fever of above 37C (100F) lasting for weeks
Night sweats
Permanent tiredness
Shortness of breath
Swollen glands lasting for weeks
Weight loss
White spots on the tongue or mouth

Symptoms
Development of life threatening illnesses:
Esophagitis (an inflammation of the lining of the lower end
of the esophagus)
Infections to the nervous system
Pneumonia
Some Cancers
Toxoplasmosis (a disease caused by a parasite that
infects the brain. It can also cause disease in the eyes
and lungs)
Tuberculosis

Causes
The virus can be found in the blood,
semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk of
infected people. HIV is also found in
saliva, sweat, and tears, though not in high
enough amounts to transmit the virus to
another person.

Causes
The two most common ways to be infected
with HIV in North America are through
unprotected sex and sharing needles.
HIV may be transmitted through unprotected
heterosexual or homosexual, vaginal, anal, or
oral sex. Although the risk of infection is lower
with oral sex, it is still important to use protection
during oral sex, such as a dental dam (a piece of
latex to cover the vagina during oral sex) or a
condom.

Causes
HIV can also be passed on through
perinatal infection, where mothers who
have HIV are at risk of giving the disease
to the baby during birth. The risk of
perinatal infection is declining with new
treatments. Breast-feeding by an infected
mother can also transmit HIV.

Prevention
Safe sex:
A condom is the most effective form of
protection against HIV and other STIs. It can
be used for vaginal and anal sex, and for oral
sex performed on men.
HIV can be passed on before ejaculation,
through pre-come and vaginal secretions,
and from the anus.

Prevention
Lubricant can make sex safer by reducing the risk
of vaginal or anal tears caused by dryness or
friction, and it can also prevent a condom from
tearing.
Sharing needles:
If you inject drugs, don't share needles or
syringes, or other injecting equipment such as
spoons and swabs, as this could expose you to
HIV and other viruses found in the blood, such as
hepatitis C.

Testing:
The most common tests used to diagnose
HIV involve looking for HIV antibodies in
blood.
The average person will develop the
antibodies to HIV within 25 days of
exposure to the virus.

Treatment:
In 1987, a drug called AZT became the first
approved treatment for HIV disease. Since
then, approximately 30 drugs have been
approved to treat people living with
HIV/AIDS, and more are under
development.

Treatment:
You may have heard these drugs called many
different names, including:

"The Cocktail"
Antiretrovirals (ARVs)
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART or ART)
Taking 3 different HIV meds does the best job of
controlling the amount of viruses entering your body and
protecting your immune system from opportunistic
diseases.