HIV-AIDS Prevention Education (HAPE) E-mail
MODULE 3:
AIDS AND THE AIDS VIRUS
 
Definition
  •           HIV  - a retrovirus that invades and inactivates T4 lymphocytes and is a cause of AIDS.
                 - also invades other classes of immune cells, cells of the nervous system, intestine and some bone-marrow cells.
                 - Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
  •         AIDS - Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
                        - acquired from a person who is infected with the virus that inactivates the immune system. The infected person accumulates various symptoms and diseases hence; a transmitted immune deficiency disease.
.
Signs and Symptoms
          A. Early Stage (few weeks)
  • Fever
  • Rashes
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • neurological symptoms

          B. Latent Stage (2-10 years)

  • Asymptomatic

          C. Final Stage

  • Sarcomas/ Lymphomas
  • Infection enters
  • T cell count progressively declines and the immune system shuts down - will lead to death due to opportunistic infections.

Transmission

  1. through blood and blood products
  2. organ transplant
  3. unprotected sexual intercoutse with someone who is infected with HIV/AIDS
  4. sharing intravenous (I.V.) needles and syringes
  5. HIV-infected mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth or throug breast feeding.

Other possible mode of transmission

  1. blade/ straight-edge razor
  2. ear piercing
  3. manicuring/pedicuring instruments
  4. tattooing instrument

Myths in which HIV/AIDS is transmitted

  • touching, hugging, hand shaking
  • mosquito and other insect bites
  • coughing and sneezing
  • sharing food and water
  • sharing clothes and beddings
  • toilet seats
  • air breathe
  • swimming with a person who has HIV/AIDS

Prevention

  • do safer sex - imaginative, non-penetrative sex
  • use safe blood for transfusion
  • avoid needle/syringes sharing
  • use condom
  • abstinence
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