hiv/aids some facts

HIV/HIV/AIDS AIDS

Some Some FactsFacts

INTRODUCTION TO COMMON TERMINOLOGY HIV Human Immuno-deficiency VirusAIDSAcquired Immuno Deficiency SyndromeRTIRReproductive Tract InfectionSTDSexually Transmitted Diseases

WHAT IS HIV/AIDS ?

HIV causes AIDS

HIV is a virus and AIDS is a disease

AIDS - deficiency in body's defence mechanism or immune system

AIDS is acquired not hereditary

HIV develops into AIDS depending on the body's defence mechanism.

Syndrome : Group of Symptoms.

WHAT DOES HIV POSITIVE MEAN ?

The person is infected with HIV.

The person may not have AIDS.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON IS INFECTED WITH HIV ?

May take 6 months to 10 years or more for progression to AIDS.

On an average 50% of infected take about 8 years to progress to AIDS.

DOES HIV POSIVE MEAN A PERSON HAS AIDS ?

A person infected with HIV has AIDS when:

His/her immune system is totally destroyed.

He/she suffers from many opportunistic infections.

WHAT CAUSES AIDS ?

AIDS is caused by virus known as

Human (H)

Immuno-deficiency (I)

Virus (V).

HIV weakens the body's defence mechanism or immune system.

WHAT IS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM ?

Immune system defends the body.

WHITE BLOOD CELLS (WBCs) are most important part of this immune system.

WBCs fight and destroy bacteria fungi & virus that may enter the body.

HOW DOES HIV WEAKEN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM ?

HIV enters the body. 

WBCs are attacked by HIV. 

Multiplies inside WBCs and infects other WBCs. 

Infected WBCs are eventually destroyed.

Leads to reduction in number of WBCs.

Leads ultimately to greatly reduced immunity

ROUTES OF TRANSMISSION

Sexual intercourse with an infected person.

Probability of transmission - 0.1% to 1%.

Transfusion of infected blood.

Chances of infection - 100%.

Use of non-sterile, HIV infected or contaminated

syringes and needles.

Chances of infection - 0.05 to 0.5%.

Infected mother to an unborn child.

Chances of infection - 30%.

RATE OF TRANSMISSION 

89.4% of transmission is through sexual route.

4.7% through injecting drug use.

4.4% through blood and blood products.

1.5% from mother to child. 

HIV CANNOT BE TRANSMITTED BY

Casual contacts - shaking hands etc.

Donating Blood.

Using public toilets, swimming pools, community showers.

Medical treatment in hospitals here normal rules of hygiene and infection control are maintained.

Caring for people living with AIDS.

VIRUS FOUND IN THREE BODY FLUIDS:

Blood 

Semen

Vaginal Secretions

HOW IS THE PRESENCE OF HIV DETECTED ?

1.ELISA Test.

2.Rapid Test.

3.Western Blot Test.

HOW CAN ONE PROTECT ON SELF FROM AIDS ?

Avoid multi partner sex. 

Practice Safe Sex.

Use only sterilized needles and syringes.

Transfuse only screened blood on HIV.

Treatment of STDs on time.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STD AND HIV/AIDS ? 

STD is marker of Risk Behaviour.

STD Risk Factor which facilitate Transmission of HIV.

BECAUSE OF: 

1. Ulcers on Genitals. 

2. Discharge from Genitals.

3. Inflammation of Genitals

Therefore reduction in STD shall contribute in reduction of HIV infection.

OBJECTIVES OF HIV TESTING

To monitor the trend of HIV Infection (Anonymous & Unlinked)

To test blood, organs, semen or tissues of donors. (Mandatory for transfusion safety).

To identify an individual with HIV infection. (Tested with informed written consent).

Research