SH - HIV/AIDS (Lesson)

HIV/AIDS

In this lesson, we will look at HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS is an incurable disease that attacks the human immune system. Infection can be avoided by practicing behaviors to reduce the risk. HIV/AIDS is diagnosed through antibody tests. Treatment can slow the progress, but not cure the disease.

HIV/AIDS Presentation

Watch the video below to learn more about HIV/AIDS

 

What happens if you contract HIV? STAGE: INITIAL INFECTION EFFECT: HIV is spread most commonly by sexual contact with an infected partner. The virus can enter the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum, or mouth during sex. HIV can also be transmitted through contact with infected blood by sharing contaminated needles or syringes with someone infected with the virus and from mother to fetus during pregnancy or birth. STAGE: INITIAL SYMPTOMS EFFECT: Many people do not develop any symptoms when they first become infected with HIV. Some people, however, do have a flu-like illness within a month or two. They may have fever, headache, and enlarged lymph nodes. These symptoms usually disappear within a month. People are very infectious during this period and HIV is present in large quantities in genital secretions. STAGE: ASYMPTOMATIC STAGE EFFECT: More persistent or severe symptoms may not surface for many years after HIV first enters the body. However, for some people this period could be as short as a few months. During the Asymptomatic stage, HIV is actively multiplying, infecting and killing CD4+ (T4) cells in the immune system. These are the immune system's key infection fighters. The virus initially disables or destroys these cells without causing symptoms. STAGE: EARLY AIDS SYMPTOMS EFFECT: As the immune system deteriorates, a variety of complications begin to surface: swollen lymph glands, lack of energy, weight loss, frequent fevers and sweats, persistent yeast infections, skin rashes, and short-term memory loss. STAGE: AIDS EFFECT: The term AIDS- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome - applies to the most advances stages of HIV infection. At this point an infected person becomes particularly vulnerable to infections and cancers because of a weakened immune system. For this reason they are called opportunistic infections. They are often severe and sometimes fatal because the body cannot fight them off. People with AIDS often suffer infections of the intestinal tract, lungs, brain, eyes, and other organs, as well as weight loss, diarrhea, neurological conditions, and cancers. STAGE: TREATMENT EFFECT: At this time, over a million Americans are infected with HIV, mostly through sexual transmission. It is estimated that about half of all new HIV infections are occurring among young people under the age of 25. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. Currently available drugs can suppress the virus but they cannot eliminate HIV from the body. These treatments are also very expensive and can have significant side effects. AIDS is currently the leading cause of death for African American women ages 25-34.

HIV/AIDS

Read the article below to learn more about HIV/AIDS

Download and read the article. Links to an external site.

What are the signs of HIV and AIDS?

Complete the interactive below to learn the signs of HIV and AIDS.

 

 

Stages and Effects of Contracting HIV

Complete the interactive below to learn the signs of HIV and AIDS.

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