Global Studies
Name _______________________________
HIV/AIDS in Africa
A. HIV
1. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus.
2. HIV attacks CD4 cells, or white blood cells, the very cells in the immune system that would
ordinarily fight off viral infections like HIV.
3. HIV spreads though unprotected sexual contact, sharing unsterilized needles, blood
transfusions, and from mother to child during pregnancy or breast feeding.
4. If left untreated, HIV develops into AIDS.
B. AIDS
1. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
2. When a person’s CD4 cont drops, below 200 (normal is 1,000), it is classified as AIDS.
3. AIDS continues to attack the immune system and leaves the body vulnerable to infections
and illnesses ranging from pneumonia to cancer.
C. Treatment
1. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but ARV (anti-retroviral) drugs are helping people live longer,
healthier lives, but:
a. The drugs have negative side effects, including heart damage and kidney failure
b. HIV mutates quickly, making it difficult to treat as strains become resistant to drugs
c. Many patients miss doses of their medication because treatment is complex and
unpleasant
d. Many people in the developing world have limited access to medical treatment
D. Staggering Statistics
1. In sub-Saharan Africa in 2012, 25 million people were living with HIV, 1.6 million were
newly infected, and there were 1.2 million deaths.
2. Although sub-Saharan Africa is home to about 13% of the world's population, it is home to
71% of all people living with HIV and to 75% of all AIDS deaths in 2012.
3. HIV mostly affects young adults, stripping families, communities, and nations of their most
productive citizens. Millions of children have been orphaned.
E. Problems in Africa
1. AIDS originated in Africa
2. Other diseases like tuberculosis compound the problem
3. Poverty and poor nutrition
4. Ignorance of how the disease was spread (particularly in the past)
5. Promiscuity and the inequality of women
6. Victims were shunned (particularly in the past)
7. Many political leaders ignored the problem in the past
8. Insufficient healthcare professionals and facilities
9. ARVs were slow to become available
10. Corruption diverts aid from those who need it
F. Prevention & Treatment Programs
1. Numerous education programs have conducted, focusing on the ABC’s: abstinence, be
faithful, condom.
2. Efforts have been made to reduce the social stigma. For example, Sesame Street in South
Africa has an HIV-positive character.
3. ARVs are now available to about 50% of Africans living with HIV.
4. The epidemic in Africa is decreasing, but at a very slow rate.
Global Studies
Name ________________________________
HIV/AIDS in Africa
A. HIV
1. HIV stands for ___________________________________________.
2. HIV attacks CD4 cells, or _______________ cells, the very cells in the __________ system
that would ordinarily __________off viral infections like HIV.
3. HIV spreads though ________________________________, sharing
___________________________, _________________________________, and from
___________________________ during __________________ or _____________________.
4. If left untreated, HIV develops into _________.
B. AIDS
1. AIDS stands for _______________________________________________.
2. When a person’s CD4 cont drops, below ______ (normal is ______), it is classified as
AIDS.
3. AIDS continues to attack the ____________ system and leaves the body vulnerable to
__________________ and _____________________ranging from ____________________
to _____________________.
C. Treatment
1. There is ______________ for HIV/AIDS, but _________________________________
drugs are helping people live longer, healthier lives, but:
a. The drugs have negative ____________, including heart damage and kidney failure
b. HIV __________ quickly, making it difficult to treat as strains become ___________
to drugs
c. Many patients ________________ of their medication because treatment is
_____________and ______________
d. Many people in the _______________ world have ___________ access to medical
treatment
D. Staggering Statistics
1. In sub-Saharan Africa in 2012, ________________ people were living with HIV,
________________ were newly infected, and there were _________________ deaths.
2. Although sub-Saharan Africa is home to about ________ of the world's population, it is
home to ________ of all people living with HIV and to ________of all AIDS deaths in 2011.
3. HIV mostly affects __________________, stripping families, communities, and nations of
their ________________________ citizens. Millions of children have been ____________.
E. Problems in Africa
1. AIDS _____________ in Africa
2. Other diseases like __________________ compound the problem
3. _______________ and poor ______________
4. ________________ of how the disease was spread (particularly in the __________)
5. __________________ and the _________________ of women
6. Victims were _______________ (particularly in the __________)
7. Many political leaders _______________ the problem in the ____________
8. Insufficient healthcare _________________ and _______________
9. ___________ were slow to become available
10. ______________ diverts ______ from those who need it
F. Prevention & Treatment Programs
1. Numerous__________________ programs have conducted, focusing on the ABC’s:
___________________, ____________________, _____________________.
2. Efforts have been made to reduce the ___________________________. For example,
________________________ in South Africa has an _______________________ character.
3. _________ are now available to about _________ of Africans living with HIV.
4. The epidemic in Africa is ___________________, but at a very slow ___________.