HIV

HIV/AIDS

Name:

AIDS ( acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)- is a deadly disease that interferes with the body's natural ability to fight on human infection. The virus that causes AIDS is called HIV.

HIV ( Human immunodeficiency virus)- is the virus that causes AIDS. A person can be a carrier of HIV without having AIDS. HIV attacks the immune system. T-cells play an important role in the body's immunity to function. They start the process of anti body production by activating B cells. HIV seeks out and destroys T-cells. The damage immune system can no longer fight the pathogens that a healthy immune system would destroy.

How HIV is spread:

HIV cannot survive in the air. It is passed from one person to another only in body fluids-including blood, semen, and vaginal secretions.
Unprotected sexual contact with an infected person. Infection with HIV can follow one incident of sexual activity, even if it's the first one. People who have multiple sex partners are at the greatest risk.
Piercing the skin with a needle that was previously used by an infected person. Many injecting drug users who share needles have contracted HIV. Drug use is not the only risky behavior, however. Any skin punctured by a contaminated needle or blade can cause HIV infection. Tattoos and body piercing performed with nonsterile materials greatly increase the risk of HIV infection.
Passage of HIV adoring pregnancy. HIV transmission from mother to child may care before or during birth, as well as through breast-feeding. New drug therapies have reduced the rate of HIV infection of the fetus during pregnancy.
Transfusions. All donated blood is tested for HIV. The blood of newly infected person, however, may not yet contain the antibodies that signal the presence of HIV.

How HIV is not spread:

HIV is not spread through the air. HIV must remain in body fluids to survive. Breathing the same air as an infected person-even being coughed or sneezed on by an infected person-poses no risk of HIV infection.
HIV is not spread through kissing. Kissing with the mouth closed is considered safe. In theory, open mouth kissing could transmit HIV if both persons have a cut or sore in the mouth.
HIV is not spread through casual contact with an infected person. Shaking hands or having other casual contact with an infected person poses no risk of HIV infection.
HIV is not spread by mosquitoes that have bitten an infected person. Although some blood on pathogens may be spread by mosquito bites, HIV is not one of them.
With an infected person. You might catch another infection this way, but not HIV.
HIV is not spread by donating blood. In United States, the needles used to collect blood are sterile and used only once, then discarded blood donation in this country presents no rest of HIV infection.

A carrier- is a person who appears healthy but is infected with the HIV virus and can pass it to others. A person infected with HIV may be a carrier for 10 years or more before starting to show symptoms of AIDS.

Opportunistic infection - is an infection that rarely occurs in a healthy person. With a weakened immune system, a person with AIDS is susceptible to opportunistic infections. For example many AIDS patients develop a type of pneumonia that can eventually cause death.

AZT- is an anti-viral medicine that slows the progress of HIV in the body.

Preventing the spread of HIV:

Avoid sexual contact. Many HIV infections are spread through sexual contact. Protect yourself by practicing abstinence.
Avoid drug use. Drugs, including alcohol impair your judgment and make you more likely to take risks. Drug users who share contaminated needles account for a large portion of HIV infections.

Note: although great progress has been made in treating AIDS patients, HIV infection is still incurable and AIDS is fatal. This is why it is extremely important to refrain from behavior that place you at risk for HIV infection.