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Lesson 1, Topic 1
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HIV/AIDS

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Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If a person with
HIV does not receive treatment, they can develop AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Untreated HIV typically progresses through the following three stages:

  1. acute HIV infection
  2. chronic HIV infection
  3. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS

Symptoms of HIV/AIDS

Early symptoms of HIV may include tiredness, fever, diarrhea, enlarged lymph nodes, loss of appetite, or night sweats. People with untreated HIV infection can develop many different health problems. These include severe pneumonia, several forms of cancer, damage to the brain and nervous system, and extreme weight loss

How HIV Spreads

HIV transmits when infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and/or breast milk enter the body through mucous membranes of the anus, vagina, penis (urethra), or mouth or through cuts, sores, or abrasions on the skin. The highest concentrations of the HIV virus are in the blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk.
Anyone who has a detectable viral load can transmit the virus. Being infected means the virus is in your body and will be there for the rest of your life. You can transfer HIV to others if you have a detectable viral load and you engage in behaviors that can transmit HIV, such as the following.

  • Having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a person who has HIV. Unprotected sex is sexual intercourse without consistent or correct condom use.
    •Using or being stuck with a needle or syringe that has been used by an infected person, including tattoo needles or ink and body piercing needles.
  • Sharing of drug paraphernalia. The paraphernalia that carries the potential of transmission are the syringe needle, “cooker,” cotton, and/or rinse water. Sharing these items (sometimes called “works”) may spread the virus. Sharing works also has the potential to transmit Hepatitis C.
  • Giving birth. Women with detectable HIV infection can pass the virus to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth.
  • Breastfeeding. The virus can pass from mothers to their babies through breast milk.
  • Receiving blood. The risk of infection through blood transfusions has almost been eliminated since 1985 when careful and widespread screening and testing of the blood supply for evidence of HIV became standard practice.

HIV is not transmitted through saliva, tears, or sweat. You cannot get HIV from hugging, shaking hands, sharing toilets, closed-mouth kissing, sexual activities that do not involve the exchange of bodily fluids, or through the air.

How HIV Works in the Body

Once a person is exposed to HIV, the virus enters the blood and attaches to certain white blood cells, called T-cells. The role of T-cells is to signal other cells to produce antibodies to fight off pathogens. Producing antibodies is a critical function of our immune system. With the HIV virus attached to the T-cells, the antibodies produced to fight the HIV virus are unable to do so. Over time, HIV destroys the T-cells and the body’s immune system. The destruction leaves the person vulnerable to opportunistic infections, cancer, and other life-threatening disease.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (ADS)

All people diagnosed with AIDS have HIV, but not all people with HIV have an AIDS diagnosis. AIDS begins when a person with HIV infection has a T-cell count below 200. Or, they may have one of the many opportunistic infections and cancers that can occur in the presence of HIV infection. Once diagnosed with AIDS, the diagnosis does not change back to HIV if a person’s T-cell count goes back above 200. Medical treatment can delay the onset of AIDS. Without treatment, a person has an average of ten years between the time of initial infection with HIV and the start of the symptoms of AIDS.

To stay healthy for as long as possible, it is important for the person to learn their HIV status and get treatment as soon as possible. Early detection will allow a person living with HIV to get the treatment needed to take better care of their immune system. The proper treatment provides almost the same life expectancy as someone who does not have HIV.

Diseases Associated with HIV/AIDS

Opportunistic infections usually pose little or no threat to people with healthy immune systems. For people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, these infections may cause one or more of the following diseases:

  • Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: a severe lung infection characterized by dry cough and shortness of breath.
  • Kaposi’s Sarcoma: a skin cancer that causes raised, brownish/purplish lesions on the face, hands, or other areas.
  • Toxoplasmosis: a disease that invades tissue and may seriously damage the central nervous system, common symptoms may include fever, headaches, confusion, and/or seizures.
  • Cryptococcosis: a disease caused by a fungus, characterized by lesions or abscesses in the lungs, tissue, joints or brain.
  • Cryptosporidiosis: a bowel infection caused by a water-borne parasite which causes severe diarrhea, dehydration, and weakness.
  • Candidiasis: an infection caused by a fungus, characterized by a white, filmy coating of the mouth, esophagus, vagina, or lungs.
  • Mycobacterium Avium-Complex (MAC): infection of the gastrointestinal tract which can rapidly spread to the liver, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. Causes weakness, abdominal pain, fever, and wasting (loss of 10% or greater body weight within 30 days).
  • HIV-associated Dementia: mild to severe damage to the brain and central nervous system causing confusion, memory loss, motor control problems, mood swings, poor concentration, and personality changes.