INTRODUCTION:

The word aids stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome which means deficiency of
immune system. It acquired during the life time of an individual indicating that it is not a
congenital disease. Syndrome means a group of symptoms. AIDS was first reported in 1981
and in the last 25 years or so, it has spread all over the world killing more than 25 million
persons.

AIDS is caused by the Human Immune Deficiency Virus ( HIV) , a member of a group of
viruses called RETROVIRUS ,which have envelop enclosing the RNA genome . It is
important to note that HIV/AIDS is not spread by mere touch or physical contact, it spread
only through body fluid. It is , hence , imperative, for the physical and psychological well
being, that the HIV/AIDS infected persons are not isolated from family and society.

About AIDS:
AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome) is a syndrome caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency
Virus). The illness alters the immune system, making people much more vulnerable
to infections and diseases. This susceptibility worsens as the syndrome progresses.

HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the
disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).Unlike some other viruses, the
human body can’t get rid of HIV completely. So once you have 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. If left untreated, HIV reduces the
number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body, making the person more likely to get
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 state of HIV infection.
 HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person (semen and vaginal
fluids, blood and breast milk). The virus is passed from one person to another
through blood-to-blood and sexual contact. In addition, infected pregnant women can
pass HIV to their babies during pregnancy, delivering the baby during childbirth, and
through breast feeding.

HIV can be transmitted in many ways, such as vaginal, oral sex, anal sex, blood
transfusion, and contaminated hypodermic needles.

The red ribbon is the worldwide symbol of support and

awareness for people living with HIV.
Both the virus and the syndrome are often referred to together asHIV/AIDS. People
with HIV have what is called HIV infection. As a result, some will then develop AIDS.
The development of numerous opportunistic infections in an AIDS patient can
ultimately lead to death.

According to research, the origins of HIV date back to the late nineteenth or early
twentieth century in west-central Africa. AIDS and its cause, HIV, were first identified
and recognized in the early 1980s.

There is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS. Treatments can slow the course of the
condition - some infected people can live a long and relatively healthy life.
 Causes of HIV/AIDS:
HIV is a reterovirus that infects the vital organs of the human immune system. The virus progresses in the absence of
antiretroviral therapy. The rate of virus progression varies widely between individuals and depends on many factors
(age of the patient, body's ability to defend against HIV, access to health care, existence of coexisting infections, the
infected person's genetic inheritance, resistance to certain strains of HIV).

HIV can be transmitted through:

The spread of HIV from person to person is called HIV transmission. The spread of HIV from an HIV-infected
woman to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding is called mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In the
United States, HIV is spread mainly by having sex with or sharing drug injection equipment with someone who is infected
with HIV. To reduce your risk of HIV infection, use condoms correctly and consistently during sex, limit your number of
sexual partners, and never share drug injection equipment. Mother-to-child transmission is the most common way that
children become infected with HIV. HIV medicines, given to HIV-infected women during pregnancy and childbirth and to
their babies after birth, reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. You can’t get HIV by shaking hands or
hugging a person infected with HIV. You also can’t get HIV from contact with objects such as dishes, toilet seats, or
doorknobs used by a person with HIV.

 Sexual transmission: It can happen when there is contact with infected sexual secretions (rectal,
genital or oral mucous membranes). This can happen while having unprotected sex, including vaginal, oral and anal
sex or sharing sex toys with someone infected with HIV.
 Perinatal transmission. The mother can pass the infection on to her child during childbirth,
pregnancy, and also through breastfeeding.
 Blood transmission. The risk of transmitting HIV through blood transfusion is nowadays extremely
low in developed countries, thanks to meticulous screening and precautions. Among drug users, sharing and reusing
syringes contaminated with HIV-infected blood is extremely hazardous.

Thanks to strict protection procedures the risk of accidental infection for healthcare workers is low .Individuals who
give and receive tattoos and piercings are also at risk and should be very careful.

Common Myths About HIV and AIDS

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

 shaking hands

 hugging

 casual kissing

 sneezing

 touching unbroken skin

 using the same toilet

 sharing towels

 sharing cutlery

 mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

 or other forms of "casual contact"

 
A VACCINE'S IMPACT

What is the treatment for HIV?

The use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART involves taking a combination of HIV
medicines (called an HIV regimen) every day. (HIV medicines are often called antiretrovirals or ARVs.)

ART prevents HIV from multiplying and reduces the level of HIV in the body. Having less HIV in the body protects the immune
system and prevents HIV infection from advancing to AIDS.

ART can’t cure HIV, but it can help people infected with HIV live longer, healthier lives. ART also reduces the risk of HIV
transmission.

What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?

Soon after infection with HIV, some people have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, or rash. The symptoms may
come and go for a month or two after infection.

After this earliest stage of HIV infection, HIV continues to multiply but at very low levels. More severe symptoms of HIV infection,
such as chronic diarrhea, rapid weight loss, and other signs of opportunistic infections, generally don’t appear for many years.
(Opportunistic infections are infections and infection-related cancers that occur more frequently or are more severe in people with
weakened immune systems than in people with healthy immune systems.)

Without treatment, HIV can advance to AIDS. The time it takes for HIV to advance to AIDS varies, but it can take 10 years or more.

HIV transmission is possible at any stage of HIV infection—even if an HIV-infected person has no symptoms of HIV.

How is AIDS diagnosed?

The following criteria are used to determine if a person infected with HIV has AIDS:

 The person’s immune system is severely damaged as indicated by a CD4 count of less than 200 cells/mm 3. A CD4 count
measures the number of CD4 cells in a sample of blood. The CD4 count of a healthy person ranges from 500 to 1,600
cells/mm3.
AND/OR

 The person has one or more opportunistic infections.

How can I learn more about HIV/AIDS?
 Read quick facts about HIV transmission.
  Read this webpage: How Do You Get HIV or AIDS?
This fact sheet is based on information from the following sources:
 From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
HIV Basics

 From the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID):

Understanding HIV/AIDS
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ON HIV INFECTIONS
Modeling data shows
that adding a vaccine
to the fight against AIDS
can help end the epidemic