H.I.V (Human
Immunodeficiency Virus)
What is HIV?
HIV or Human
Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus
that attacks the body’s immune
system
If left untreated could lead to
AIDS
Where did HIV originate?
 Based on the CDC it came from a type of chimpanzee in
Central Africa
 SIV or Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (chimpanzee version)
 It was probably passed onto humans when the humans
hunted the chimpanzees for meat and came in contact with
their blood
 Studies show that HIV may have jumped from chimpanzees to
humans as far as back to the 1800s
 Since then HIV spread slowly from Africa to the rest of the
world
How do you know if you have HIV?
 The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get
tested
 HIV can be transmitted through bodily fluids that
include:
 Blood
 Semen
 Vaginal and rectal fluids
 Breastmilk
Signs and Symptoms of HIV
 Some people may develop flu like symptoms from 2 to 4 weeks once the
virus enters the body which the virus is the called acute HIV infection.
 Symptoms include:
 Fever
 Chills
 Rash
 Nigh Sweats
 Muscle aches
 Sore throat
 Fatigue
 Swollen lymph nodes and;
 Mouth Ulcers
Stages of HIV
 Stage 1: Acute HIV infection
 Flu like symptoms take place
 Highly contagious
 Get tested if under suspicion
 Stage 2: Chronic HIV infection
 Asymptomatic HIV infection
 People may not have symptoms or get sick during this phase
 People can transmit HIV in this phase
 At the end of this phase, the amount of HIV in the blood (called viral
load) goes up and the CD4 cell count goes down. The person may
have symptoms as the virus levels increase in the body, and the person
moves into Stage 3.
Stages of HIV
 Stage 3: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
 Most severe stage of the infection
 People with AIDS have badly damaged immune systems making them more
prone to other illnesses called opportunistic infections
 People with AIDS can have a very high viral load and can be very infectious
 Without treatment people with AIDS usually last up to 3 years
Treatment:
 There is no cure for HIV as of the moment BUT, it can be managed with
medicines
 This is called antiretroviral therapy (ART).
 ART can make HIV infection a manageable chronic condition.
 It also reduces the chance of spreading the virus to others
 ART can extend your life years similar to someone who never had the virus
Prevention:
Getting tested
Limit sexual partners. And ALWAYS use a
condom every time you plan on having
intercourse
Avoid sharing of needles
REFERENCES:
 About HIV/AIDS | HIV Basics | HIV/AIDS | CDC
 HIV/AIDS - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
 HIV/AIDS | HIV | HIV Symptoms | AIDS | MedlinePlus
 HIV and AIDS: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and More (healthline.com)