This document provides information about HIV/AIDS, including that HIV finds and destroys white blood cells called CD4 cells, weakening the immune system over time and allowing opportunistic infections. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection when the immune system is seriously impaired. HIV is transmitted through certain body fluids and can be prevented by abstinence, limiting partners, condom use, clean needles, and getting tested.

1. HIV 101 East Valley Community Health Center Alexis Moreno, Health Educator

2. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Virus that causes AIDS

3. Immune system: Gives our bodies the ability to fight infections HIV finds and destroys a type of white blood cell (T cells or CD4 cells) that the immune system must have to fight disease. Over time, infection with HIV can weaken the immune system to the point that the system has difficulty fighting off certain infections. These types of infections are known as opportunistic infections Opportunistic infections: Infections that arise in individuals whose immune system are compromised or damaged. These infections take advantage of the weakened immune system. The CDC has developed a list of about 24 opportunistic infections.

5. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection Can take years for a person infected with HIV to reach this stage, even without treatment An average of 10 years before a person’s immune system becomes seriously impaired Having AIDS means that the virus has weakened the immune system to the point at which the body has a difficult time fighting infection. When someone has 1 or more specific infections, certain cancers, or a very low number of T cells, he or she is considered to have AIDS.

6. Chimpanzee in West Africa Humans hunted these chimpanzees for meat. The virus slowly spread across Africa and later into other parts of the world.

7. The virus is not transmitted through day-to-day activities Such as shaking hands, hugging, or a casual kiss A person cannot become infected from a toilet seat, drinking fountain, doorknob, dishes, drinking glasses, food, pets, or mosquitoes Not transmitted by…

8. Body fluids that an transmit HIV: Blood of an infected person Semen of an infected person Vaginal Fluid of an infected person Breast milk of an infected person HIV is transmitted in 3 main ways: Having unprotected sex (anal or vaginal) with someone infected with HIV Sharing needles and syringes with someone infected with HIV Being exposed (fetus or infant) to HIV before, during birth, or through breastfeeding

10. Preventing Practice abstinence Use a new needle every time drugs are injected. Reducing Limit sexual partners Use a condom every time Clean needles 3x3x3 method Get tested for HIV Do not have sex when taking drugs or drinking alcohol

11. Injected drugs or steroids, during which equipment (such as needles, syringes, cotton, water) and blood were shared with others Had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex (without condoms) with multiple partners, anonymous partners, or men who have sex with men Exchanged sex for drugs or money Been given a diagnosis of, or been treated for, hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), or a sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as syphilis Received a blood transfusion or clotting factor during 1978-1985 Had unprotected sex with someone who has any of the risk factors listed above

12. Abstain from sex (do not have oral, anal, or vaginal sex) until in a relationship Even if a person believes he or she is low risk, getting an HIV test whenever a person has a regular medical check –up is suggested by the CDC Do not have sex when taking drugs or drinking alcohol Do not inject illicit drugs

13. Multiple Sex Partners: Get tested for HIV Talk about HIV and other STDs Partner’s past behavior Partners tested for HIV Use a latex condom and lubricant every time having sex STD treatment Other STDs can increase a person’s risk of getting HIV Get vaccinated against hepatitis B virus

14. Inject Drug: Use only clean needle, syringes, and other works Never share needles, syringes, or other works Be careful not to expose him/herself to another person’s blood Get tested for HIV, test at least once a year Consider getting counseling and treatment for drug use Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B viruses

15. For protection remember the ABC’s! = Abstinence = Be Faithful = Condoms

16. The only way a person can know if he or she is infected is to be tested for HIV

17. Within 2-4 weeks after exposure to HIV, a person might have flu-like symptoms Fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, diarrhea, fatigue or rash Symptoms usually go away after a week or two May include loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, night sweats, skin rashes, diarrhea, tiredness, lack of resistance to infection or swollen lymph nodes.

18. Many places offer HIV testing: Health departments Doctors’ offices Hospitals Sites specifically set up to provide HIV testing Locate a testing site by: www.HIVLA.org East Valley Community Health Center 909-620-8088 626-919-4333

19. Anonymous Person never provides any contact information Test result can not be linked to person in any way Person is given a code number linked to test result and lab slip Confidential Person provides identifying information Test result is filed separately Linked to name in confidential medical record CA laws protect test result from being disclosed

20. Once HIV enters the body, the body starts to produce antibodies Most HIV tests look for these antibodies rather than the virus itself There are many different kinds of HIV tests Standard testing OraSure Blood Rapid tests OraQuick

21. Primary Prevention Effort to prevent uninfected people from contracting HIV Over 98% of all test results statewide are negative Over 50% of all positive results statewide have previously tested negative Secondary Prevention The effort to prevent those infected with HIV from progressing to further disease A positive disclosure session facilitates medical follow-up and self-care Referrals may be made for other programs or psychosocial support

22. If the virus is restricted in its ability to reproduce and spread to new cells, the body will stay healthy. Combination therapies Combine different classifications of anti-retroviral drugs Appear to stop the replication of the virus, though they do not eradicate the virus entirely from the body Relatively new, 1995. Provide referrals or direct linkage to needed services.

23. www.aids.org/info/what-causes-aids.html www.aidsmeds.com/articles www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/basic www.hivla.org UCSF AIDS Health Project. HIV Prevention Counselor Training Program , 2004.