AIDS/HIV
Awareness
What is HIV/AIDS?
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HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus
that attacks the body’s immune system
If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome)
There are no effective cures currently
○ 1 person cured in 2008
HIV and Tuberculosis
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Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death in
HIV patients
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Since HIV weakens the immune system, HIV
increases the risk of serious TB infection
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Infection of HIV and TB at the same time is
called HIV/TB coinfection
70%
Global HIV/AIDS cases in
Sub-Saharan Africa
360,000
Projected adolescent death toll
from 2018 - 2030
3,000,000
Prevalence
Number of children and adolescents
living with HIV/AIDS
Diagnosis and Treatment
1. HIV is present in blood and contagious through bodily fluids
2. May display flu-like symptoms once infected
a. Acute stage
3. Antigen tests can diagnose HIV
4. Low levels of HIV - clinical latency
a. Chronic stage
5. HIV treatment involves taking medicine to control HIV
6. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses the virus
7. Without treatment, HIV may progress to AIDS
Treatment Barriers
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Economic
○ people cannot afford the medications
Political
○ political opposition to affordable healthcare
○ legal status and possible denial of treatment
Educational
○ lack of awareness about HIV/AIDS transmission, diagnosis, and
treatment
Prevention Measures
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Safe use of needles
Medication (PrEP)
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Vaccinations
Get tested
Stay sanitary
“
“While there has been promising
progress in the HIV response, children
continue to be affected by the
epidemic.”
”
—UNICEF, 2019
Children and AIDS
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New cases occur at birth
Both mothers and children
must be tested
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Mothers can pass it to
children (43% chance of
transmission)
Poverty, lack of education
and violence contribute to
the epidemic
Number of children and adolescents aged 0–19 living
with HIV, by region, 2019
Progress
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Donation funded program
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Increasing empowerment
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Educating against gender-based violence and inequalities
Education
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Emphasis on global cooperation
HIV transmission knowledge
Prioritizing high-risk
Advocating for human rights
Johnathan Thurston