AIDS Objectives:
Be able to describe the definition of
AIDS.
 Be able to describe three facts about
the epidemiology (the spread, growth and

development of disease) of AIDS.

Be able to describe how AIDS is
contracted or passed on from one
person to another.
AIDS:
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
 Since 1981, more than 60 million
people have become infected with HIV
(Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
Today, more than 42 million people live
with HIV or AIDS.
 About 5 million new cases were
diagnosed in 2002.

AIDS Continued:
Women are becoming increasingly
affected by this virus, and they account
for at least 50% of new cases.
 In the U.S., as of 2002, more than
866,575 men, women and children have
been diagnosed with AIDS. At least
501,669 have died.

How HIV Is Transmitted:
Infected body fluids (for example:
semen, vaginal secretions, blood)
 Mucous membranes of the genital
organs and the anus provide the easiest
route of entry.
 If there is a break in the mucous
membranes (during intercourse), the
virus enters and begins to multiply.

HIV Transmission Continued:
After initial infection, HIV multiples
rapidly, invading the bloodstream and
cerebrospinal fluid.
 It destroys helper T-lymphocytes, thus
weakening the body’s resistance to
disease.
 The virus alters the genetic structure of
the cells it attacks.
 IT IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS!!!

HIV Transmission Continued:
If you engage in high-risk behaviors, which
means unprotected sex, you can contract
AIDS.
 Sex with multiple partners is also considered
a high-risk behavior.
 Saliva is not a high-risk body fluid unless
blood is present.
 HIV can be found in saliva so use caution
when engaging in deep, wet kissing.

HIV Transmission Continued:
Mother’s milk is contagious only if it is
mixed with blood.
 Receiving a blood transfusion prior to
1985 could have given you AIDS.
 Sharing HIV-contaminated needles and
syringes can give you AIDS.
 1 in 3 children have contracted AIDS
from their mother while in the womb.

Women and AIDS
Women are 4 to 10 times more likely
than men to contract HIV through
unprotected sex with an infected
partner.
 Women most at risk are ethnic
minorities and the economically
disadvantaged.

Women and AIDS Continued:
Women of color account for 76% of
AIDS cases among women, though they
comprise less than 25% of all U.S.
women.
 AIDS is the leading cause of death
among African-American women age 25
to 44.

Women and AIDS Continued…
AIDS is a fourth leading cause of death
among all American women age 25 to
44.
 AIDS is one of the top ten leading
causes of death for ages 15 to 64 in the
U.S.

Why Do You Think Women of Color
Have Higher Incidence of AIDS?
Less income
 Less social support
 Less health and social service systems
 Inadequate treatment for women
addicts
 Lack of access to childcare and health
care leads to increased stress and
possibly less self-protection

Symptoms of HIV Disease
A person can be symptom free for many
years after initial infection.
 It takes an average of 8 to 10 years for the
virus to cause the slow, degenerative changes
in the immune system.
 During this time, the person may experience
a large number of infections, such as: colds,
sore throats, fever, tiredness, nausea, and
night sweats.

Common AIDS Diseases
Kaposi’s sarcoma
 Cancer
 Pulmonary tuberculosis
 Recurrent pneumonia
 Invasive cervical cancer

Kaposi’s sarcoma:

Treatment of AIDS:
Medications are protease inhibitors:
Amprenavir, Ritonavir and Saquinavir.
 These drugs resemble protein chains
that the HIV protease normally cuts.
They block HIV protease enzymes from
cutting the protein chains needed to
produce new viruses.

Treatments of AIDS Continued:
Other medications include antiviral
treatments such as AZT.
 Although these drugs provide new hope
for AIDS, we are long way from a cure.

Staying Safe in an
Unsafe Sexual World:
Avoid casual sexual partners.
 Try to have long-term, mutually
monogamous relationships.
 Avoid unprotected sex.
 Do not be afraid to ask intimate questions
about your partner’s sexual past.
 Never share needles, razors, tattoo
instruments, and body-piercing
instruments.

Staying Safe Continued:
Avoid using drugs that dull your senses
and affect your ability to make
responsible decisions.
 Wash your hands before and after
sexual encounters.
 Be sure medical professionals wear
gloves and wash hands to prevent
cross-transmission.

Staying Safe Continued:
With new partners, try to get an HIV
test together.
 Remember, this could be a life or death
situation.
 Make sure to get as much sexual history
so you can make an informed decision.

AIDS Around the World
AIDS is decreasing in the U.S., but in other
regions of the world, it is not.
 By the year 2003, an estimated 34 to 46
million people in the world were infected with
HIV. That’s 1 out of every 100 men, women,
and children.
 This means that every day in 2003, an
estimated 14,000 people were newly infected
with HIV.

AIDS Around the World Continued:
In South Africa, 1 in every 5 people is now
infected.
 Almost 39% of the population in Botswana
and Swaziland is now living with HIV.
 About 30% of the people living with HIV
worldwide live in Southern Africa, an area
that is home to just 2% of the world’s
population
 South Africa has 5.3 million people living with
AIDS, more than any other country.

Latin America and the Caribbean:
About 2 million people living with HIV
 The epidemic was mainly spread
through heterosexual intercourse,
injecting drug use and men having sex
with men.
 Haiti was worse hit with 60% of adults
infected.

Europe and Central Asia:
About 1.5 million living with the AIDS
virus
 In other parts of Asia, 7.4 million are
living with AIDS virus.
 Thailand and Cambodia have controlled
the spread of HIV by providing condom
use among sex workers.
 An estimated 4.5 million have been
infected with HIV in India.

Testing for HIV Antibodies
A blood test known as ELISA can detect
HIV virus.
 A more expensive and precise test is
known as the Western blot.
 There are also mouth swab tests.
 Many cities have anonymous and free
testing.
 All these tests detect antibodies for the
disease that would indicate HIV presence.

Summary:
AIDS is still a very dangerous and very
contagious disease.
 Always make sure to protect yourself
from sexual fluid exchange by using
condoms.
