This document provides information about HIV/AIDS, including what it is, how it is transmitted, who is most vulnerable, stages of infection, testing and treatment options, and prevention methods. HIV attacks CD4 cells in the immune system and develops into AIDS when CD4 cells are severely reduced, leaving the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections. HIV is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and can infect anyone regardless of age, race, or sexual orientation. Abstinence, monogamy, condom use, sterile needle use, and not sharing personal items are effective prevention methods.
2. HIV/AIDS What Do You Know?
What is HIV? What is AIDS?
"Helping kids understand
about AIDS is the most
How is the disease transmitted? important thing I do.
Some kids like to pretend
that it's not happening in
the world. By letting them
In what part of the world is know what's really going
on, I might save
HIV/AIDS most prevalent? someone's life."
Hydeia L. Broadbent
AIDS patient and activist.
Who is vulnerable to contracting
HIV/AIDS?
3. HIV/AIDS Terms to Know
HIV: the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
a retrovirus that attacks and destroys a type of white blood cell called a
CD4 cell
attacks the immune system – since the CD4’s main function is to fight
disease, when a person’s CD4 cell count gets low, they are more
susceptible to illnesses
HIV is the virus that eventually causes AIDS
An HIV positive test result does not mean a person has AIDS
HIV/AIDS currently no cure
AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
the final stage of HIV infection.
when the immune system CD4 cells drop to a very low level, a person's
ability to fight infection is lost
4. HIV/AIDS Terms to Know
AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
the final stage of HIV infection.
when the immune system CD4 cells drop to a very low level, a person's
ability to fight infection is lost
a collection of infections and cancers that people with HIV might develop
if a person gets one of these infections or cancers after they are HIV+
they are said to have AIDS.
many of the infections that cause AIDS are harmless to a healthy immune
system.
HIV/AIDS can infect anyone
regardless of age, race or sexual
preference.
5. HIV/AIDS Four Stages of HIV
Stage 1: Primary
• Short, flu-like illness - occurs one to six weeks
after infection
• no symptoms at all
• Infected person can infect other people
Stage 2: Asymptomatic
• Lasts for an average of ten years
• This stage is free from symptoms
• There may be swollen glands
• The level of HIV in the blood drops to very low
levels
• HIV antibodies are detectable in the blood
6. HIV/AIDS Four Stages of HIV
Stage 3: Symptomatic
• The symptoms are mild
• The immune system deteriorates
• Emergence of opportunistic infections and cancers
Stage 4: HIV -> AIDS
• The immune system weakens
• The illnesses become more severe leading to an
AIDS diagnosis
7. HIV/AIDS Symptoms
Diarrhea or other bowel changes
Fatigue
Fever
Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
Dry cough or shortness of breath
Night sweats
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin
Confusion, difficulty concentrating, or personality changes
Repeated outbreaks of cold sores or genital herpes sores
Tingling, numbness, and weakness in the limbs
Mouth sores or a yeast infection of the mouth
13. HIV/AIDS Blood Testing
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/Enzyme
Immunoassay (ELISA/EIA)
• Radio Immunoprecipitation Assay/Indirect
Fluorescent Antibody Assay (RIP/IFA)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
• Western Blot Confirmatory test
14. HIV/AIDS Urine Testing
• Urine Western Blot
– As sensitive as testing blood
– Safe way to screen for HIV
– Can cause false positives in certain people at high risk for
HIV
Oral
Testing
Orasure
The only FDA approved HIV antibody.
As accurate as blood testing
Draws blood-derived fluids from the gum tissue.
NOT A SALIVA TEST!
16. HIV/AIDS Prevention
Abstinence
Safe/Protected Sex
Condoms – latex or polyurethane condom (not natural skin condom)
HIV testing before intercourse with partner
Talk with partner/s about your and their sexual history
Monogamy
Reduce number of sex partners
Sterile needles
Do not share intravenous (IV) needles, syringes, cookers, cotton, eyedroppers, etc.
Donate blood, plasma, semen, body organs, or body tissues to reputable medical centers
Do not share personal items, such as toothbrushes, razors, or sex toys, that
may be contaminated with blood, semen, or vaginal fluids.
17. HIV/AIDS Basic Facts
Sub-Saharan Africa 25.8 million people living with HIV
Asia 8.3 million people living with HIV
North America, Western and Central 1.9 million people living with HIV
Europe
Eastern Europe and Central Asia 1.6 million people living with HIV
Middle East and North Africa 510,000 people living with HIV
Caribbean 300,000 people living with HIV
Oceania 74,000 people living with HIV
Latin America 1.8 million people living with HIV
Source: UNAIDS AIDS Epidemic Update 2005
18. HIV/AIDS 2002 HIV Infections by Age Group
Source: UNAIDS/WHO
19. HIV/AIDS Basic Facts
Every minute five people around the world between the ages of 10 and 24
are infected with HIV.
There are 2.5 million children under the age of 15 living with the disease
worldwide.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of new infections occurs among
young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
Of the 3 million who died of AIDS in 2003, 500,000 were children.
The total number of children orphaned by AIDS – 13.2 million as of 2001
– is expected to more than double by 2010.
Source: UNAIDS. <www.unaids.org> (April 29, 2004).
Source: UNAIDS, “AIDS Epidemic Update: December 2003,” p.3.
Source: UNICEF, “Young People and HIV/AIDS: Opportunity in Crisis,” p.6 [publication on-line]
www.unicef.org/publictions/pub_youngpeople_hivaids_en.pdf (February 17, 2004).
Source: UNAIDS, “AIDS Epidemic Update: December 2003,” p.3.
Source: UN Special Session on HIV/AIDS. “Fact Sheet.” 2001.
21. HIV/AIDS Recap and
Discussion
How can HIV/AIDS be transmitted? How
“Care for us and accept us – do children contract HIV?
we are all human beings.
We are normal. We have
hands. We have feet. We Who is most vulnerable?
can walk, we can talk, we
have needs just live How can you prevent yourself from
everyone else – don’t be contracting HIV?
afraid of us – we are all the
same!”
How do you think people would react if
Nkosi Johnson you had HIV/AIDS?
13 International AIDS Conference
th
22. HIV/AIDS What Can You Do?
Educate yourself about HIV/AIDS.
Contact local, state, and national
politicians for support for HIV/AIDS.
Write letters asking for their opinion on
HIV/AIDS.
Talk to your parents about HIV/AIDS.
Educate the adults in your life!
Advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness!
Begin a social awareness/human rights club.
23. HIV/AIDS For More Information
AIDS.org UNAIDS
www.aids.org www.unaids.org
Center for Disease Control UNICEF
www.cdc.gov www.unicef.org/aids
AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth Youth Advocate Program
& Families International
www.aids-alliance.org www.yapi.org
Population Services International
www.youthaids.org
