AIDS

Prepared: Mark John Abo Christian Dela Cruz Cracylyn Duran Meaning and Nature of AIDS AIDS- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a viral disease that destroys the bodys immune ability to resist infection often characterized by severe loss of vulnerability to disease that might not otherwise be threat. On March 16, 1986 the weekend magazine of the Sunday Express carried reports that in the Phils., the first Filipino victim came from US and died immediately, and the second one left before the Filipino population was even aware he was here. A third one, diagnosed and confirmed both in Germany and in the Phils is at large, threatening each and everyone of us: male or female, married or single, adult or child, gay or straight, celibate monogamous or otherwise. FOR AIDS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE NO ONE. Sexual intercourse- most common mode of transmission. Dr. Antonio Novak Feliciano- founder of the American Venereal Diseases Association (PHILS.) says that in our blood, we have cells which alarm the immune system to produce immunity or anti bodies to fight against germs, bacteria and virus which enter the body. These T-cells are called T-Helper cells and this are the ones that are attacked by the virus. Once the T-helpers are destroyed, you have no alarm system any more, so bacteria and virus can enter the body. Haitians HTLV-III (semian tlymphotropic virus)
Central Congo (Zaire) African Green Monkey

International convention Haiti

U.S.

Scientists

Philippines

The origin of AIDS Sources of AIDS and Means of Transmission Authorities on AIDS state that the disease is caused by an infectious agent- a retrovirus known as HTLV-3 (human T-cell lymphothropic retrovirus ). The virus which spreads the disease is variously called the lymphadenophathy associated virus (LAV) or the human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLVIII). No evidence that the virus is spread by casual contact on the victims or objects they touched. The virus can be transmitted by the bodily fluid especially semen and blood.

Sexual intercourse, particularly the homosexuals, is by far the leading means of transmission. Other groups in danger of acquiring the disease are drug users who regularly inject intravenous and share needles. Symptoms Vaguely-flu like symptoms as night swells Persistent cough Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymp glands) Persistent fatigue Loss of weight Fever Diarrhea Shortness of breath Skin rashes Cough or any symptoms which may as well be sign of the infection, pneumonia or even cancer

Effects of AIDS Victims have been fired from their jobs Forsaken by their friends and families

Prevention and Control of AIDS 1. Screening blood donors and mandatory testing of donated blood, one of the sources of AIDS infection. 2. Educating the public through media and booklets on AIDS, its symptoms and sensible precautions that should be taken to avoid it. 3. Allerting doctors to be on the lookout for AIDS and making it a legally notifiable disease. 4. Telling homosexuals to stick to one partner and to avoid anal or oral sex. The device is being given to prostitutes of both sexes, who are also being at risk from visitors from AIDS infected countries. 5. Heterosexuals are being asked to avoid promiscuity. 6. Intravenous drug-abusers are being warned that sharing needles is dangerous because other users may be AIDS carriers. 7. Warning women suffering from AIDS or at high risk of infection from becoming pregnant since the infection could be transmitted to the new born or even the unborn. Treatment NO MEDICINE has yet been discovered to effectively cure AIDS. The drug, Azidothymidine (AZT) is one several anti viral drugs are being tested for use against AIDS shows that the drug is inhibiting the growth of the AIDS virus, HTLV-3. Latex-product unit, Ansell International have shown that a commonly used spermicidal cream kills the virus. The spermicidal cream is the best available protection against AIDS next to abstinence.