BASIC HIV-

HIV-AIDS AWARENESS
 DEFINITIONS AND MEANINGS

What is HIV?

HIV is “human immunodeficiency virus.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

Human means that it affects only humans
and lives only in humans.

The virus does not live in toilets,
mosquitoes, cups, spoons, on bed sheets
or towels that people with HIV might have
used.
 DEFINITIONS AND MEANINGS

Immunodeficiency refers to a lack (deficiency) or
breakdown of immune system.

The “immune system” is the body’s resistance or
the Body’s Defence Force (BDF) for fighting off
infections.

The virus attacks and eventually overcomes the
body’s human system, the BDF. The immune
system is usually able to defend the body
against many infections.

A virus is a germ.
 DEFINITIONS AND MEANINGS

What is AIDS?

AIDS means “Acquired Immunodeficiency
syndrome”

To acquire means to “get or develop over
a period of time”

The immune system does not break like
an egg, it breaks down gradually over
time.
 DEFINITIONS AND MEANINGS

It gets deficient, or less and less efficient, under

relentless attack by the multiplying numbers of
virus in the body.

Syndrome refers to the group or collection of
signs and symptoms or indications of diseases
in a person who has AIDS.

These may include unusual weight loss ( more
than 10% of normal body weight, fever( for
more than one month, stopping and starting or
continuous) a dry cough which hangs on.
 DEFINITIONS AND MEANINGS

Other symptoms include excessive

tiredness, diarrhea for a long time (more
than a month), swelling of lymph nodes,
respiratory tract infections including
pneumonia and tuberculosis, thrush and
night sweats.
 MORE FACTS ABOUT HIV

HIV is a RETROVIRUS.

A Retrovirus is a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus
that must reverse to the Deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) before reproducing/replicating.

It is the DNA gene that enables the Virus to
replicate.

HIV belongs to the subclass of lentiviruses OR
Slow viruses. Characterized by a long interval
between infection and development of disease.
Structure of HIV
 HIV Description

ENVELOPE- Outer coat of the
VIRAL ENVELOPE-
virus .Diameter of 1/10000 of a millimeter.
Spherical in shape. Composed of 2 layers
of fat, called lipid. Recent evidence
suggests HIV may Enter or exit cells
through LIPID RAFTS present on cell
membrane.
 HIV Description

72 spikes on average made of complex
protein protrude from the virion
surface.This protein is called ENV made of
a Cap of Glyco protein 120 and a stem of
GP41.

** Primary focus of VACCINE dev’t.
 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV & AIDS
1. Different things are happening inside the
bodies of persons with HIV and AIDS.

HIV is the infectious stage of the
condition, AIDS is the disease phase.

When the virus enters the body, it comes
into contact with the front line of the
body Defence system.
 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV &
AIDS

In the early stages of infection i.e. during
the first few days or week, the infected
person may feel as though a flu is coming
on.

HIV overpowers this front line (consisting
of white blood cells called macrophages)
and makes its way into other body cells,
living on them, destroying them and
multiplying at a rapid rate.
 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV & AIDS

The body produces antibodies ( chemical

substances) to virus. It takes six weeks to
three months to produce antibodies and
release them into the bloodstream.

This period from the point of infection to
the end of six-
six-week to three months
period is called the “Window period.”
The Difference between HIV & AIDS

When the level of viruses in the body
reaches a high point and the quantity of
the body cells that are supposed to fight
off diseases reaches a low point, the body
is more open to other infections entering
and hanging on.

HIV and various diseases take over the
body. This when the person may be said
to have AIDS.
 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV & AIDS
2. The bodies of persons with HIV and
AIDS look different on the outside
outside..
Person with HIV look healthy; persons
with HIV look healthy; persons with
AIDS look unhealthy.

You can’t tell when a person has HIV. A
person who is HIV positive can look and
feel as good as a person who does not
have the virus.
 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV & AIDS

HIV infected person even looks better, as

many begin taking more care of their
health and physical appearance.

When a person is HIV positive, that
person can live for several years looking
just like a person who is not HIV positive.
There are no signs on the person’s body
to show that s/he is carrying the virus.
 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV & AIDS

When a person has AIDS, the person may look

sick. S/he certainly feels sick. Diseases take over
the body when HIV has broken down the body’s
immune system and disease are caused by
opportunistic infections.

A person who has AIDS can return to being well
when the diseases are treated and symptoms
disappear.

People don’t die of AIDS but other diseases.
 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV & AIDS

3. Persons with HIV and persons with AIDS

lead very different lives. Persons with
HIV can get on with their lives as usual,
taking extra care of their health ;
persons with AIDS may be too sick, too
often, to be able to carry on normally.
They need care and support.

Persons who are HIV positive have to
make important changes in their sex life.
 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV & AIDS

HIV positive people have to be careful not

to infect others or get infected with the
virus. Every refection weakens the body’s
resistance and allows AIDS to develop
sooner.

HIV positive people need to be extra
careful not to pick other infections like
STDs. Every new infection weakens the
immune system.
 THE WINDOW PERIOD

The window period is that period from the
time of infection to when the usual lab
tests can detect the antibodies to the virus
in the HIV-
HIV-infected person.

The window period can last between six
weeks to three months. Different bodies
take different length of time to produce or
release the antibodies, sometimes called
“clues” to the virus.
 THE WINDOW PERIOD

Why is it important to know the window

period;
a) The person carry the virus without
knowing and infect others.
b) A person needs to be careful about
taking and giving blood.
c) The test results may show negative and
the person may think it means s/he has
not been infected.
 THE WINDOW PERIOD

The person may take a second test after
about three months.

Someone may produce a lab report in
order to deceive you to get unprotected
sex with you.

Knowing window period helps people to
more careful about life choices.
 MAIN WAYS OF HIV INFECTION

Persons can get HIV in three main ways:-
ways:-

Unprotected sex ( any kind – vaginal, oral or
anal) where penetration is involved including sex
where there is no ejaculation or “ coming” ) with
effected person. Chances of infection increase
significantly where STDs are involved.

Blood transfusion or any blood-
blood-to-
to-blood contact
including sharing of needles used to inject
drugs.
 MAIN WAYS OF HIV INFECTION

Mother-to-
Mother- to-child (in case of an infected
mother during pregnancy, or during
delivery or breast feeding.

It is believed that when babies breastfeed,
the nipples become sore ; they may
contaminate the HIV positive mother’s
milk.

Sharing un-un-sterilized HIV contaminated
skin piercing instruments.
 HIV CAN’T BE ACQUIRED FROM

Hugging and kissing if there are no
bleeding gems and broken skin.

Handshakes, touching, swimming or
bathing with an infected person, sharing
utensils (cup, plate, spoon) with an
infected person, toilet seats, using towels
and clothes, sitting next to or sharing a
bed with infected person.
 HIV CAN’T BE ACQUIRED FROM

Self masturbation ( when one person rubs and
strokes his or her sex organs or mutual
masturbation ( when two people rub and stroke
one another’s sex organs.

Sex where both partners are not infected and
remain faithful to each other.

Avoiding sex with infected persons or persons
whose HIV Status is not known.

Sex with latex condom when properly used.
 WHO IS AT RISK OF HIV INFECTION

All persons who are sexually active.

All persons with limited knowledge about
HIV infection, spread and risk factors.

All unborn babies especially those from
mothers infected with HIV and do not
know or has not taken medical precaution
to protect the baby.

All young people and adolescents.
 VCT
 Voluntary-doing something out of your
Voluntary-
own choice
 Counseling--sharing relationship
Counseling
/discussion with someone (counselors) in
order to help a person solve /cope with his
or her problem
 Testing--a process of giving blood to be
Testing
checked
 DEFINITION OF VCT

It means that after receiving information
about HIV transmission, prevention and
testing one consents to be tested for HIV
antibodies.

The key word here is voluntary, no one
forces to do HIV-
HIV-AIDS testing, but the
person makes the decision after receiving
information.
 WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VCT?

HIV Positive
Positive::

Early access to care and support

Prevention of re-
re-infection and other STIs

Prevention of HIV transmission to partner
and/or unborn child

Encourages partner disclosure and testing.
testing.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VCT?

HIV Negative

Risk reduction for the HIV negative individual

Reduced anxiety/fear

Motivation to remain negative

Encourages disclosure and testing.

testing.
BENEFITS TO THE COUPLE AND FAMILY

Support safer relationships

relationships--enhances
faithfulness..
faithfulness

Enhances prevention through partner
notification and testing, and PMTCT
PMTCT..

Allows the couple /family to plan for the
future

Reduces stigma and discrimination

Enable the family to provide care to the
infected individual
individual..
 BENEFITS TO THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER

Entry points to comprehensive HIV/AIDS

care interventions and management
including PMTCT, treatment of
opportunistic infections, use of
antiretroviral (ARVs) and psychosocial care

Disease surveillance and better planning
and appropriate allocation of available
resources..
resources
 BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY

Impacts community norms (testing, risk

reduction, discussion of status, condom use)

Reduces stigma and discrimination as more
persons ‘go public’ about having HIV

Serves as a catalyst for the implementation of
care and support services
services.. Reduces transmission
and changes the tide of the epidemic
epidemic..

Information about HIV prevention, care and
behavioural change.
change.
RAPID HIV TESTING ALGORITHM (SERIAL TESTING)
 POSITIVE LIVING

Positive living is a concept which stipulates that
a person should have an optimistic attitude
towards self and others.

It involves having a positive outlook to living and
life.

It also means living responsibly with HIV.

People with HIV infection can prolong their lives
by making positive choices to care for their own
mental and physical health.
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF POSITIVE LIVING

1. Physical Care
a) Proper nourishment: Having a balanced
diet is an essential part of positive living.
A person with HIV infection needs to
feed on foods with essential nutrients
required by the body. These include;
• Proteins both plant and animal proteins,
which help repair body cells.
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF POSITIVE LIVING

Carbohydrates: These are energy giving

foods like maize, rice, cassava, potatoes,
millet, sorghum etc.These types of food
strengthens the body and enables the
body systems to function well. It adds to
the body’s capacity to function and fight
infections.
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF POSITIVE LIVING

Vitamins: These are foods that give our

body the ability to fight off infections.
They repair our body cells and protect the
body from diseases.

They are available in all fruits and
vegetables that are readily available in our
environment.
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF POSITIVE LIVING

b) Resting: People with HIV infection need

to take enough rest or sleep to help
reduce fatigue and strain in the already
weakened body.

It is healthy for a person to have at least
8 hours of sleep daily. People who find it
uncomfortable to keep unoccupied can
do handicraft, listen to music etc.
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF POSITIVE LIVING

c. Light physical exercises: Exercise the

body regularly to keep the body strong
and enable the body systems to work
well.
• The exercise enables proper circulation
of blood and oxygen to the different
parts of the body.
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF POSITIVE LIVING

2. Medical care: A person with HIV infection

needs to seek prompt medical attention.
• Most opportunistic infections that affect
people with HIV are treatable.
• Prompt treatment of these infections
reduces severity of illness.
• Avoid habits that endanger your health
like drinking and smoking.
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF POSITIVE LIVING

Avoid having unprotected sex

Keep your body clean

Maintain hygiene of your environment
3. Psychological Care
a. Counseling
b. Spiritual Care
IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF POSITIVE LIVING

4. Social economic development

a) Keep Busy
5. Keep in fellowship
6. Psychological adjustment
7. Care for children with HIV infection.
 Conclusion

HIV-AIDS is a reality that we have to live
HIV-
with.

It requires all every to know information
and act.

HIV
HIV--AIDS is a responsibility of all because
it has impact on the entire population.