A.

Definition

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a syndrome caused by a virus

called HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). The disease alters the immune system,
making people much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. This susceptibility
worsens if the syndrome progresses.
HIV is found throughout all the tissues of the body but is transmitted through
the body fluids of an infected person (semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk).
Unlike some other viruses, the human body can’t get rid of HIV completely,
even with treatment. So once you get HIV, you have it for life.
HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells),
which help the immune system fight off infections. Untreated, HIV reduces the
number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body, making the person more likely to get other
infections or infection-related cancers. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these
cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. These opportunistic
infections or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal that
the person has AIDS, the last stage of HIV infection.
B. Transmission
1. Sexual transmission — it can happen when there is contact with infected sexual
fluids (rectal, genital, or oral mucous membranes). This can happen while having
sex without a condom, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex, or sharing sex toys
with someone who is HIV-positive.
2. Perinatal transmission — a mother can transmit HIV to her child during
childbirth, pregnancy, and also through breastfeeding.
3. Blood transmission — the risk of transmitting HIV through blood transfusion is
extremely low in developed countries, thanks to meticulous screening and
precautions. However, among people who inject drugs, sharing and reusing
syringes contaminated with HIV-infected blood is extremely hazardous.

There are many misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. The virus CANNOT be
transmitted from:

1. Shaking hands
2. Hugging

3. Casual kissing
 4. Sneezing

5. Touching unbroken skin

6. Using the same toilet

7. Sharing towels

8. Sharing cutlery

9. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

10. Or other forms of "casual contact"

C. Symptoms

For the most part, the later symptoms of HIV infection are the result of infections
caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and/or parasites. These conditions do not normally
develop in individuals with healthy immune systems, which protect the body against
infection.

1. Early symptoms of HIV infection

Some people with HIV infection have no symptoms until several months or even
years after contracting the virus. However, around 80 percent may develop symptoms
similar to flu 2–6 weeks after catching the virus. This is called acute retroviral
syndrome.

The symptoms of early HIV infection may include:

a. Fever
b. Chills

c. Joint pain

d. Muscle aches

e. Sore throat

f. Sweats (particularly at night)

 g. Enlarged glands

h. A red rash

i. Chronic diarrhea

j. Tiredness

k. Weakness

l. Unintentional weight loss

m. Thrush

It is important to remember that these symptoms appear when the body is fighting off
many types of viruses, not just HIV. However, if you have several of these symptoms
and believe you could have been at risk of contracting HIV in the last few weeks, you
should take a test.

D. High Risk
1. Condomless sex - having sex without a condom can put a person at risk of
contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). HIV can be
transmitted by having sex without a condom (vaginal, oral, and/or anal sex). It can
also be transmitted by sharing sex toys with someone infected with HIV. Condoms
should be used with every sexual act.

2. Drug injection and needle sharing - intravenous drug use is an important factor
in HIV transmission in developed countries. Sharing needles can expose users to
HIV and other viruses, such as hepatitis C. Strategies such as needle-exchange
programs are used to reduce the infections caused by drug abuse. If someone needs
to use a needle, it must be a clean, unused, unshared needle.

3. Body fluid exposure - exposure to HIV can be controlled by employing

precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to contaminated blood. Healthcare
workers should use barriers (gloves, masks, protective eyewear, shields, and
gowns) in the appropriate circumstances. Frequent and thorough washing of the
skin immediately after coming into contact with blood or other bodily fluids can
reduce the chance of infection.
 4. Pregnancy - some ARVs can harm the unborn child. But an effective treatment
plan can prevent HIV transmission from mother to baby. Precautions have to be
taken to protect the baby's health. Delivery through cesarean section may be
necessary.HIV-infected mothers can pass the virus through their breast milk.
However, if the mother is taking the correct medications, the risk of transmitting
the virus is greatly reduced. It is important for a new mother to discuss the options
with a healthcare provider.

E. Prevention

Despite significant efforts, there is no effective vaccine against HIV. The only way to
prevent infection by the virus is to avoid behaviors that put one at risk, such as sharing
needles or having unprotected sex. Unprotected sex means sex without a barrier such
as a condom. Because condoms break, even they are not perfect protection. Many
people infected with HIV don't have any symptoms and appear healthy. There is no
way to know with certainty whether a sexual partner is infected. Here are some
prevention strategies:

1. Abstain from oral, vaginal, and anal sex. This obviously has limited appeal, but it
is the only 100% effective way to prevent HIV.
2. Have sex with a single partner who is known to be uninfected. Mutual monogamy
between uninfected partners eliminates the risk of sexual transmission of HIV.
3. Use a condom in other situations. Condoms offer some protection if used properly
and consistently. Occasionally, they may break or leak. Only condoms made of
latex should be used. Only water-based lubricants should be used with latex
condoms; petroleum jelly dissolves latex.
4. Use condoms the right way every time you have sex. Learn the right way to use a
male condom.
5. Choose less risky sexual behaviors. Anal sex is the highest-risk sexual activity for
HIV transmission, especially for the receptive partner (bottom). Oral sex is much
less risky than anal or vaginal sex. Sexual activities that don't involve contact with
body fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, or blood) carry no risk of HIV transmission.
6. Do not inject street drugs. When people are high, they're more likely to have risky
sex or share unsterile needles, which increases the chance of getting or
transmitting HIV.
7. If you do inject drugs, never share your needles or works. Use only sterile needles.
You can get them at many pharmacies without a prescription, or from community
 needle-exchange programs. Use a new sterile needle and syringe each time you
inject. Clean used needles with full-strength laundry bleach, making sure to get
the bleach inside the needle, soak at least 30 seconds (sing the "happy birthday"
song three times), and then flush out thoroughly with clean water. Use bleach only
when you can't get new needles. Needles and syringes aren't designed to be
cleaned and reused, but it is better than sharing uncleaned needles and works.
8. Use sterile water to fix drugs.
9. Clean skin with a new alcohol swab before injecting.
10. Be careful not to get someone else's blood on your hands or your needle or works.
11. Dispose of needles safely after one use. Put them in an old milk jug and keep used
needles away from other people. Pharmacies accept used needles in containers for
safe disposal.
12. If you work in a health-care field, follow recommended guidelines for protecting
oneself against needle sticks and exposure to contaminated fluids. And get
yourself tested

F. Treatment
1. ART

a. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of HIV medicines to treat HIV

infection. People on ART take a combination of HIV medicines (called an
HIV regimen) every day.
b. ART is recommended for everyone who has HIV. People with HIV should
start ART as soon as possible. ART can’t cure HIV, but HIV medicines help
people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. ART also reduces the risk of
HIV transmission.
c. Potential risks of ART include unwanted side effects from HIV medicines
and drug interactions between HIV medicines or between HIV medicines
and other medicines a person is taking. Poor adherence—not taking HIV
medicines every day and exactly as prescribed—can lead to drug resistance
and treatment failure