AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a disease

that makes it difficult for the body to fight off infectious diseases.
The human immunodeficiency virus known as HIV causes AIDS by
infecting and damaging part of the body's defenses against infection
— its lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell in the body's
immune (infection-fighting) system that is supposed to fight off
invading germs. HIV can be transmitted through direct contact with
the blood or body fluid of someone who is infected with the virus.
That contact usually comes from sharing needles or by having
unprotected sex with an infected person. An infant could get HIV
from a mother who is infected. HIV and AIDS can be treated, there
are no vaccines or cures for them.

What HIV Does to the Body

The virus attacks specific lymphocytes called T helper cells (also

known as T-cells), takes them over, and multiplies. This destroys
more T-cells, which damages the body's ability to fight off invading
germs and disease.

When the number of T-cells falls to a very low level, people with HIV
become more susceptible to other infections and they may get
certain types of cancer that a healthy body would normally be able
to fight off. This weakened immunity (or immune deficiency) is
known as AIDS and can result in severe life-threatening infections,
some forms of cancer, and the deterioration of the nervous system.

Although AIDS is always the result of an HIV infection, not everyone

with HIV has AIDS. In fact, adults who become infected with HIV may
appear healthy for years before they get sick with AIDS.

How Common Are HIV and AIDS?

The first case of AIDS was reported in 1981, but the disease may
have existed unrecognized for many years before that. HIV infection
leading to AIDS has been a major cause of illness and death among
children, teens, and young adults worldwide. AIDS has been the
sixth leading cause of death in the United States among 15- to 24-
year-olds since 1991.

In recent years, AIDS infection rates have been increasing rapidly

among teens and young adults. Half of all new HIV infections in the
United States occur in people under 25 years old; thousands of
teens acquire new HIV infections each year. Most new HIV cases in
younger people are transmitted through unprotected sex; one third
of these cases are from injection drug usage via the sharing of dirty,
blood-contaminated needles.

Among children, most cases of AIDS — and almost all new HIV
infections — resulted from transmission of the HIV virus from the
mother to her child during pregnancy, birth, or through
breastfeeding.

Fortunately, medicines currently given to HIV-positive pregnant

women have reduced mother-to-child HIV transmission
tremendously in the United States. These drugs are also used to
slow or reduce some of the effects of the disease in people who are
already infected.

Unfortunately, these medicines have not been readily available

worldwide, particularly in the poorer nations hardest hit by the
epidemic. Providing access to these life-saving treatments has
become an issue of global importance.

How HIV Is Transmitted

HIV is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body

fluid of someone who is infected with the virus.

The three main ways HIV is passed to a very young child are:

1. while the baby develops in the mother's uterus (intrauterine)

2. at the time of birth
3. during breastfeeding
Among teens, the virus is most commonly spread through high-risk
behaviors, including:

• unprotected sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, or anal sex)

• sharing needles used to inject drugs or other substances
(including contaminated needles used for injecting steroids and
tattooing and body art)
In very rare cases, HIV has also been transmitted by direct contact
with an open wound of an infected person (the virus may be
introduced through a small cut or tear on the body of the healthy
person) and through blood transfusions. Since 1985, the U.S. blood
supply has been carefully screened for HIV.
iagnosing HIV Infections and AIDS

Every pregnant woman should be tested for HIV to have a better

chance of preventing transmission to her unborn child.

If a woman knows she is HIV-infected and already has children, it is

recommended that all of them be tested for HIV. Even older kids
who seem healthy could still have an HIV infection if she was HIV-
positive at the time they were born. A blood test is needed to know
for sure.

However, when a new baby is born to an HIV-infected mother, there

is no immediate way to know whether the baby is infected with the
virus. This is because if the mother is infected, an ELISA test (which
checks for HIV antibodies in the blood) will almost always be
positive, too. Babies will have their HIV-infected mother's antibodies
(which are passed to the baby through the placenta) even if they
are not truly infected with HIV. These babies may remain HIV-
antibody-positive for up to 18 months after birth, even if they are
not actually infected.

Infants who are not actually infected with the virus (but are born to
HIV-positive mothers) will not make their own antibodies; the HIV
antibodies that came from their mothers will gradually disappear
from their blood before they reach 2 years of age. Any blood tests
performed after this point will likely be HIV-negative. Infants who are
infected with HIV from their mothers will begin to make their own
HIV antibodies and will generally remain HIV-positive after 18
months of age.

The most accurate diagnosis of HIV infection in early infancy comes

from tests that show the presence of the virus itself (not HIV
antibodies) in the body. These tests include an HIV viral culture and
PCR (polymerase chain reaction), a blood test that looks for the DNA
of the virus.

Older kids, teens, and adults are tested for HIV infection by an ELISA
test to detect the presence of HIV antibodies in the blood.
Antibodies are specific proteins that the body produces to fight
infections; HIV-specific antibodies are produced in response to
infection with HIV. Someone with antibodies against HIV is said to be
HIV-positive. If the ELISA test is positive, it is always confirmed by
another test called a Western blot. If both of these tests are positive,
the patient is almost certainly infected with HIV.
Preventing HIV and AIDS

Prevention of HIV remains of worldwide importance. Despite much

research, there is no vaccine that will prevent HIV infection. Only the
avoidance of risky behaviors can prevent HIV infection. Among U.S.
teens and adults, HIV transmission is almost always the result of
sexual contact with an infected person or sharing contaminated
needles. Infection can be prevented by never sharing needles, and
abstaining from oral, vaginal, or anal sex.

Risk can be substantially reduced by always using latex condoms for

all types of sexual intercourse, and avoiding contact with the blood,
semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk of an infected person.

Avoidance of alcohol and drugs is also key in preventing the spread

of HIV — not because a person can get HIV directly from drinking
and doing drugs, but because drinking and drug use often leads to
risky behaviors associated with an increased risk of infection (such
as having unprotected sex and sharing needles).

The most important means of preventing HIV/AIDS in infancy is to

test all pregnant women for the virus. If the result is positive,
immediate treatment can begin before the baby is born to prevent
HIV transmission.

What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

AIDS is a medical condition. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when
their immune system is too weak to fight off infections.
Since AIDS was first identified in the early 1980s, an
unprecedented number of people have been affected by the global
AIDS epidemic. Today, there are an estimated 33.4 million people
living with HIV and AIDS and each year around two million people
die from AIDS related illnesses.

What causes AIDS?

AIDS is caused by HIV.

HIV is a virus that gradually attacks immune system cells. As HIV
progressively damages these cells, the body becomes more
vulnerable to infections, which it will have difficulty in fighting off. It
is at the point of very advanced HIV infection that a person is said to
have AIDS. It can be years before HIV has damaged the immune
system enough for AIDS to develop.

What are the symptoms of AIDS?

A person is diagnosed with AIDS when they have developed an AIDS

related condition or symptom, called an opportunistic infection,
or an AIDS related cancer. The infections are called ‘opportunistic’
because they take advantage of the opportunity offered by a
weakened immune system.
It is possible for someone to be diagnosed with AIDS even if they
have not developed an opportunistic infection. AIDS can be
diagnosed when the number of immune system cells (CD4 cells) in
the blood of an HIV positive person drops below a certain level.

Is there a cure for AIDS?

Worryingly, many people think there is a 'cure' for AIDS - which

makes them feel safer, and perhaps take risks that they otherwise
wouldn’t. However, there is still no cure for AIDS. The only way to
stay safe is to be aware of how HIV is transmitted and how
to prevent HIV infection.

How many people have died from AIDS?

Since the first cases of AIDS were identified in 1981, more than 25
million people have died from AIDS. An estimated two million people
died as a result of AIDS in 2008 alone.
Although there is no cure for AIDS, HIV infection can be prevented,
and those living with HIV can take antiretroviral drugs to delay the
onset of AIDS. However, in many countries across the world access
to prevention and treatment services is limited. Global leaders have
pledged to work towards universal access to HIV prevention and
care, so that millions of deaths can be averted.

How is AIDS treated?

Antiretroviral treatment can prolong the time between HIV

infection and the onset of AIDS. Modern combination therapy is
highly effective and someone with HIV who is taking treatment could
live for the rest of their life without developing AIDS.
An AIDS diagnosis does not necessarily equate to a death sentence.
Many people can still benefit from starting antiretroviral
therapy even once they have developed an AIDS defining illness.
Better treatment and prevention for opportunistic infections have
also helped to improve the quality and length of life for those
diagnosed with AIDS.
Treating some opportunistic infections is easier than others.
Infections such as herpes zoster and candidiasis of the mouth,
throat or vagina, can be managed effectively in most environments.
On the other hand, more complex infections such as toxoplasmosis,
need advanced medical equipment and infrastructure, which are
lacking in many resource-poor areas.
It is also important that treatment is provided for AIDS related
pain, which is experienced by almost all people in the very
advanced stages of HIV infection.

Why do people still develop AIDS today?

Even though antiretroviral treatment can prevent the onset of AIDS

in a person living with HIV, many people are still diagnosed with
AIDS today. There are four main reasons for this:
• In many resource-poor countries antiretroviral treatment is
not widely available. Even in wealthier countries, such as
America, many individuals are not covered by health insurance and
cannot afford treatment.
• Some people who became infected with HIV in the early years
of the epidemic before combination therapy was available, have
subsequently developed drug resistance and therefore have
limited treatment options.
• Many people are never tested for HIV and only become aware
they are infected with the virus once they have developed an AIDS
related illness. These people are at a higher risk of mortality, as
they tend to respond less well to treatment at this stage.
• Sometimes people taking treatment are unable to adhere to, or
tolerate the side effectsof drugs.

Caring for a person with AIDS

In the later stages of AIDS, a person will need palliative

care and emotional support. In many parts of the world, friends,
family and AIDS organisations provide home based care. This is
particularly the case in countries with high HIV prevalence and
overstretched healthcare systems.
End of life care becomes necessary when a person has reached
the very final stages of AIDS. At this stage, preparing for death and
open discussion about whether a person is going to die often helps
in addressing concerns and ensuring final wishes are followed.

The global AIDS epidemic

Around 2.7 million people became infected with HIV in 2008. Sub-
Saharan Africa has been hardest hit by the epidemic; in 2008 over
two-thirds of AIDS deaths were in this region.
The epidemic has had a devastating impact on societies, economies
and infrastructures. In countries most severely affected, life
expectancy has been reduced by as much as 20 years. Young adults
in their productive years are the most at-risk population, so many
countries have faced a slow-down in economic growth and an
increase in household poverty. In Asia, HIV and AIDS causes a
greater loss of productivity than any other disease. An adult’s most
productive years are also their most reproductive and so many of
the age group who have died from AIDS have left children behind. In
sub-Saharan Africa the AIDS epidemic hasorphaned nearly 12
million children.
In recent years, the response to the epidemic has been intensified;
in the past ten years in low- and middle-income countries there has
been a 6-fold increase in spending for HIV and AIDS. The number
of people on antiretroviral treatment has increased, the annual
number of AIDS deaths has declined, and the global percentage of
people infected with HIV has stabilised.
However, recent achievements should not lead to complacent
attitudes. In all parts of the world, people living with HIV still face
AIDS related stigma and discrimination, and many people still
cannot access sufficient HIV treatment and care. In America and
some countries of Western and Central andEastern Europe,
infection rates are rising, indicating that HIV prevention is just as
important now as it ever has been. Prevention efforts that have
proved to be effective need to be scaled-up and treatment targets
reached. Commitments from national governments right down to
the community level need to be intensified and subsequently met,
so that one day the world might see an end to the global AIDS
epidemic.
AIDS and HIV are very dangerous diseases. They strike without
warning and destroy the body. This disease is a worldwide
problem. You can't get away from it. Many people die from it every
year

HIV is starting to affect more and more children, especially

runaways. Your are at high risk for AIDS if you:

are a drug user

a homosexual
a hemophiliac
a female prostitute
had blood transfusions between 1983 and 1985

If you have a friend with HIV do not be scared to be friends with

them. HIV can not be spread by sharing a computer, telephone,
office equipment, or pencils with someone who has HIV. HIV and
AIDS are spread
by:

blood to blood contact

Sharing needles or having transfusions
a mother to her un-born baby
sexual interaction

To protect yourself from AIDS:

Don't have sexual contact with many partners

Use condoms
Don't share needles with anyone
Don't use Drugs ( they give you poor judgement)

Poor judgement means you might make bad decisions about things
like sexual contact and when you use drugs your body can not fight
infections as well. These are good suggestions to prevent getting
HIV or AIDS, but some people didn't get to make those decisions to
prevent HIV and AIDS.

Many people with HIV contracted HIV when they we in their mother's
womb. When a pregnant woman passes HIV onto her baby, the
baby's condition is called Prenatal HIV Infection. The transmission of
HIV from a mother to the fetus as early as the 8th week of
Gestation. The percent of mother to child transmission is 13% to
42%. Not all mothers with HIV pass the disease onto their baby
because there are ways to protect her baby from HIV. An HIV
positive mother can: start AZT treatment after the 14th week of
Gestation(this reduces the transmission rate by 70%),consider
having a Cesarean section, which reduces the transmission rate by
50%, bottle feed, which reduces by 50%,not smoke because nicotine
is toxic to the fetus, and the mother can have her baby tested for
HIV. HIV positive mothers getting their babies treated with AZT have
to pay quite a lot, but normally it is worth it.

HIV and AIDS are deadly diseases. AIDS is a growing epidemic, and
more attention should be called to the effects it has on a person
mentally and physically.

AIDS and HIV literally destroys your body cell by cell. HIV is
intercepted when body fluids are exchanged. The virus then travels
in the blood stream looking for helper T cells, the directors of the
immune system, to invade. The virus doesn't choose a cell
randomly. It has to find a cell that fits it's receptor snugly. When the
cell is found, it is given a chemical signal to produce new viruses.
These new viruses go through the same process, and the HIV
multiplies rapidly. This is one reason HIV is so deadly.

HIV is deadly for many reasons. At first, the infected person seems
to have the flu. It goes away fairly soon, so it may be regarded as
nothing.

Meanwhile the virus is killing more and more helper T cells. The B
cells that produce antibodies discover the HIV virus and start
producing antibodies, but without the helper T cells there is no one
to direct them, and the virus isn't killed. As more and more helper T
cells are killed, the immune system grows weak, and AIDS is
developed. There is no definite symptom of AIDS, but you might
have it if your glands are swollen persistently. As AIDS weakens your
immune system, diseases that wouldn't affect a healthy person start
to attack the body.

The diseases that attack the body when the immune system is weak
are called opportunistic diseases. These diseases become very
dangerous when they encounter a weak immune system. Most
people with AIDS or HIV are killed by the opportunistic diseases. The
most deadly of these diseases is PCP or pheumocystis carinii
pneumonia. Its symptoms are a persistent cough, shortness of
breath, chest pain, and a high fever. These diseases are not to be
taken lightly. They can kill you. We think more attention should be
paid to HIV and AIDS.

HIV and AIDS are deadly. AIDS has been called the plague of the
twentieth century. It is a growing epidemic. We can't believe that
more people die of the opportunistic diseases than AIDS or HIV. AIDS
and HIV are not curable yet so all we can do is stay safe and hope
that a cure is found in the future.
What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
• HIV is a virus and AIDS is a bacterial disease
• There is no difference between HIV and AIDS
• HIV is the virus that causes AIDS

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. A person can live a relatively
normal life for many years if they are diagnosed with HIV, but they
are said to have AIDS when they develop an HIV related illness.

Is there a cure for AIDS?

• Yes
• No
• Only available on prescription

There is no cure for AIDS. This means it is important to be aware of

prevention methods such as safe sex to protect yourself.

Can you get AIDS from sharing the cup of someone with HIV?
• Yes
• No
• Only if you don't wash the cup

It is not possible to become infected with HIV from everyday casual

contact such as sharing food, shaking hands or touching the same
objects. You are only at risk from HIV if you are exposed to infected
blood or bodily fluids.

Can insects transmit HIV?

• Yes
• No
• Only mosquitoes

Insects cannot transmit HIV. When taking blood from someone

mosquitoes do not inject blood from any previous person. The only
thing that a mosquito injects is saliva, which acts as a lubricant and
enables it to feed more efficiently.
HIV can make a person ill because…
• It makes a person lose weight very suddenly
• It reduces the body's core temperature
• It attacks the immune system

HIV affects a person's immune system, which makes them more

vulnerable to infections, and can make them very ill.

Does HIV only affect gay people?

• Yes
• NoRight
• Only gay men
• Only gay women

HIV can affect anyone from any part of the world, no matter whether
they are gay, straight, old or young.

HIV is believed to have evolved from a similar virus found in

which animal?
• Baboon
• ChimpanzeeRight
• Elephant
• Guinea pig

The SIV virus found in chimpanzees is very close to HIV. It is

believed that the virus crossed species to humans.

If someone with HIV has a CD4 count of 200 or less, what does
this mean?
• Their immune system is very healthy
• They no longer have HIVWrong
• They should probably start antiretroviral treatmentRight
• They will die within a week
The more CD4 cells there are in a person's blood, the stronger the
immune system. A CD4 cell count below 200 indicates that the
person has a very weak immune system and requires antiretroviral
therapy.

What is the risk of transmitting HIV during oral sex?

• Just the same as anal or vaginal sex
• There is a 50% chance that HIV will be transmitted if one
person is HIV positiveWrong
• The risk is very low, but increased if either person has cuts or
sores on their mouth or genitalsRight

The risk of HIV transmission through oral sex is much smaller than
that through anal or vaginal sex. If the HIV positive person has
bleeding wounds or gums there is a greater chance of HIV
transmission.

What are the main routes of HIV transmission?

These are the main ways in which someone can become infected
with HIV:
• Unprotected penetrative sex with someone who is infected.
• Injection or transfusion of contaminated blood or blood
products, donations of semen (artificial insemination), skin
grafts or organ transplants taken from someone who is
infected.
• From a mother who is infected to her baby; this can occur
during pregnancy, at birth and through breastfeeding.
• Sharing unsterilised injection equipment that has previously
been used by someone who is infected.

Can I be infected if my partner doesn't have HIV?

No. Like all sexually transmitted infections, HIV cannot be 'created',
only passed on. If you are sure that your partner does not have
HIV, then there is no risk of acquiring it, even if you do have
unprotected sex (whether it be vaginal, anal or oral). However,
pregnancy and other sexually transmitted diseases (if your
partner has one) remain a risk, so you should still use a condom or
other suitable form of birth control wherever possible.
How safe is oral sex?
Although it is possible to become infected with HIV through oral
sex, the risk of becoming infected in this way is much lower than
the risk of infection via unprotected sexual intercourse with a man
or woman.
When giving oral sex to a man (sucking or licking a man's penis) a
person could become infected with HIV if infected semen came into
contact with damaged and receding gums, or any cuts or sores they
might have in their mouth.
Giving oral sex to a woman (licking a woman's vulva or vagina) is
also considered relatively low risk. Transmission could take place if
infected sexual fluids from a woman got into the mouth of her
partner. The likelihood of infection might be increased if there is
menstrual blood involved or if the woman is infected with another
sexually transmitted disease.
The likelihood of either a man or a woman becoming infected with
HIV as a result of receiving oral sex is extremely low, as saliva does
not contain infectious quantities of HIV.

Is deep kissing a route of HIV transmission?

Deep or open-mouthed kissing is a very low risk activity in terms of
HIV transmission. HIV is only present in saliva in very minute
amounts, insufficient to cause infection with HIV.
There has been only one documented case of someone becoming
infected with HIV through kissing; a result of exposure to infected
blood during open-mouthed kissing. If you or your partner have
blood in your mouth, you should avoid kissing until the bleeding
stops.

Are lesbians or other women who have sex with women

at risk for HIV?
Lesbians/bisexual women are not at high risk of contracting HIV
through woman-to-woman sex. Very few women are known to have
passed HIV on to other women sexually, though it is theoretically
possible if infected vaginal fluids or blood from an HIV positive
partner enter the other woman's vagina (perhaps on fingers or sex
toys).

Does 'fingering' during sex carry a risk of HIV

transmission?
Inserting a finger into someone's anus or vagina would only be an
HIV risk if the finger had cuts or sores on it and if there was direct
contact with HIV infected blood, vaginal fluids or semen from the
other person. There might also be a risk if the person doing the
fingering had HIV and their finger was bleeding.

Can I become infected with HIV through normal social

contact/activities such as shaking hands/toilet
seats/swimming pools/sharing
cutlery/kissing/sneezes and coughs?
No. HIV is not an airborne, water-borne or food-borne virus, and
does not survive for very long outside the human body. Therefore
ordinary social contact such as kissing, shaking hands, coughing
and sharing cutlery does not result in the virus being passed from
one person to another.

If blood splashes into my eye, or I get some in my

mouth, can I become infected with HIV?
Research suggests that the risk of HIV infection in this way is
extremely small. A very small number of people - usually in a
healthcare setting - have become infected with HIV as a result of
blood splashes in the eye.
Blood in the mouth carries an even lower risk. The lining of the
mouth is very protective, so the only way HIV could enter the
bloodstream would be if the person had a cut, open sore or area of
inflammation somewhere in their mouth or throat (if the blood was
swallowed). Even then, the person would have to get a fairly
significant quantity of fresh blood (i.e. an amount that can be
clearly seen or tasted) directly into the region of the cut or sore for
there to be a risk. HIV is diluted by saliva and easily killed by
stomach acid once the blood is swallowed.
Can I be infected with HIV through contact with animals
such as dogs and cats?
No. HIV is a Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It only affects
humans. There are some other types of immunodeficiency viruses
that specifically affect cats and other primates, namely the Feline
Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Simian Immunodeficiency Virus
(SIV). These viruses are of no risk to humans.
Some people have expressed concern that they could become
infected if scratched by an animal that has previously scratched an
HIV positive person. This is exceptionally unlikely, and there are no
documented cases of transmission occurring in this way.

Can HIV be transmitted in household settings?

HIV is overwhelmingly transmitted through sexual contact, through
intravenous drug use, through infected blood donations and from
mother to child during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. HIV is
not transmitted through everyday social contact. There have
however been a few cases in which it is thought that family
members have infected each other through ways other than those
stated above.
A case in Australia in the late 1990s involved two sisters. Both
tested positive within a month of each other. The risk exposure for
the older sister was identified as being sexual contact she had with
a Russian man. The younger sister had had no obvious risk
exposures, and investigators concluded that the only possible risk
exposure was them sharing a razor to shave their legs. Further
analysis established that they did have the same Russian virus
strain, not commonly found in Australia.
The other case involved a mother and son, again in Australia, who
both tested HIV positive. He had had risk exposures in Thailand
some years before, whereas the mother could not identify a possible
exposure. The son had had the skin condition psoriasis some time
earlier, and the mother's application of the cream to his skin lesions
was identified as the only possible route of infection. Analysis
showed that they both had the same strain, found in Thailand and
not common in Australia.
Whilst HIV transmission between family members and members of
the same household is possible, it occurs in extremely low numbers
and documented cases are very rare.
Can I transmit HIV to my baby during pregnancy or
breastfeeding?
An HIV-infected pregnant woman can pass the virus on to her
unborn baby either before or during birth. HIV can also be passed
on during breastfeeding. If a woman knows that she is infected with
HIV, there are drugs she can take to greatly reduce the chances of
her child becoming infected. Other ways to lower the risk include
choosing to have a caesarean section delivery and not breastfeeding

If I am taking antiretroviral drugs and have an

'undetectable' viral load, am I still infectious?
Even if your tests show that you have very low levels of HIV in your
blood, the virus will not have been totally eradicated and you will
still be capable of infecting others. Some drugs do not penetrate the
genitals very well and so do not disable HIV as effectively there as
they do in the blood. This means that while you may have little
active virus showing up on blood tests, there may still be quite a lot
of HIV in your semen or vaginal fluids. Transmission may be less
likely when you have a low viral load, but it is still possible so you
should always take appropriate precautions.