Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

&

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

General Information

HIV is a viral infection that gradually destroys the body’s immune system. It most commonly occurs through sexual contact. It can also be spread through blood-to-blood contact like sharing needles or blood transfusions involving unscreened blood. Mucous membranes like the lips, mouth, vagina, vulva, penis, or rectum and are areas where transmission will ismost likely to occur. Certain bodily fluids like blood, semen, and vaginal secretions transmit HIV. The virus can also be transmitted from an HIV-infected mother to her child through pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.

There is an interval, sometimes years, between initial infection of HIV and the onset of symptoms. Upon entering the bloodstream, HIV infects specific cells called “T4” cells (the immune system’s key infection fighters) and then multiplies rapidly. This begins to disable the immune system. As the eventual destruction of the immune system organs occurs, “immunosuppression” begins which leads to AIDS.

AIDS is the final stage of the HIV infection. Although an HIV-positive test result does not mean that a person has AIDS, AIDS develops as a result of the HIV infection. The CDC defines AIDS by the number of T4 cells a person has. A count under 200 is considered AIDS. Additionally, if a person develops certain other “opportunistic” diseases, as a result have having HIV, they are considered to have AIDS. 

Symptoms

Many people infected with HIV go years without symptoms.  Although the following symptoms are associated with HIV/AIDS they can also be associated with a number of other illnesses:

• Dry cough
• Profound and unexplained fatigue
• Rapid weight loss
• Diarrhea lasting for more than 1 week
• Memory loss, depression, other neurological disorders 

Who is at risk? (2005 US CDC report)

• Sex partners of individuals with HIV/AIDS
• While men are still more likely to have HIV/AIDS, the number of women infected has risen dramatically over the last 10 years.
• Hispanics and Blacks are disproportionately infected with HIV
• Intravenous drug users
• Individuals requiring blood transfusions

 Complications

• AIDS allows opportunistic diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, cancer, and skin infections to attack the weakened immune system.  All of these can be fatal.
• Without treatment, a mother infected with HIV has a 25% chance of having a baby born with HIV. With treatment, this can be reduced to 8%.

 Prevention

• Consistently use condoms with ONLY water-based lubricants.
• Understand how the virus is transmitted.

• Maintain your health:

• Eat healthy

• Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs

• Take vitamin supplements to boost your immune system.
• Never share needles with anyone at any time.

• Get tested for HIV.
• Talk with your partner(s) about getting tested.

Testing

• Anonymous HIV testing is available in most states. Often, the tests are funded by the public health department and are performed at no cost.
• A test for HIV looks for antibodies that can develop as a result of HIV being in your body.
• Getting tested usually requires that blood be drawn but saliva and urine can also be used.
• Technically, two tests (the ELISA and the Western Blot) of the same blood sample are done to determine if you have HIV. If the first is positive, then the second will be done to confirm the presence of HIV.  

Treatment

• There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, there are only treatments that can help a person live with the disease for as long as possible.
• Currently 26 different anti-viral medications are used to treat HIV/AIDS. These are categorized into three groupings, each interfering with the virus differently.
• Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), which uses a combination of the 26 medications, is most commonly used because of its effectiveness in slowing the virus and increasing survival rates for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

Living with HIV/AIDS

Testing positive for HIV is not a death sentence.  Some people continue to live healthy, happy lives more than 10 years after testing positive for HIV.  

To best care for yourself:

• Understand how the virus works and progresses.
• Monitor your health.
• Stay informed of your treatment options. HIV/AIDS research is constantly discovering new information about HIV/AIDS and methods of better treatment.
• Find a doctor that specializes in HIV treatment.
• Seek emotional support from friends, family, and HIV/AIDS support groups.

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