HIV/ AIDS

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HIV/ AIDS

• Answers to your questions

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What is HIV

• HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• The virus attacks the T-Cells in the immune
  system
• The immune system eventually becomes degraded and
  the body cannot defend itself from other viruses

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What is AIDS?

• AIDS- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
• When the immune system no longer works properly
• Someone with AIDS will eventually die from a
  different virus, bacteria or fungal infection,
  such as the common cold or flu

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HIV transmissions to humans

• HIV was transmitted to humans from chimpanzees.
• SIV- Simian Immunodeficiency Virus
• similar disease in other primates
• During hunting in Africa the virus entered the
  body of a human and changed, this enabled the
  virus to attack the human immune system- HIV

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How long does it take for HIV to become AIDS

• It can take 8-11 years from the time of infection
  to having symptoms of AIDS
• Varies greatly from person to person based on
  basic health and behaviors

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What are symptoms of AIDS?

• There are NO symptoms of HIV
• When you have AIDS you have symptoms of a
  suppressed immune system

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What is the life cycle of HIV?
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• There are several steps in the HIV life cycle.
• 1. Free virus circulates in the bloodstream.
• 2. HIV attaches to a cell.
• 3. HIV empties its contents into the cell
  (infects the cell).
• 4. The HIV genetic code (RNA) is changed into
  DNA by the reverse transcriptase enzyme.
• 5. The HIV DNA is built into the infected cell's
  DNA by the integrase enzyme.
• 6. When the infected cell reproduces, it
  activates the HIV DNA, which makes the raw
  material for new HIV viruses.
• 7. Packets of material for a new virus come
  together.
• 8. The immature virus pushes out of the infected
  cell in a process called "budding."
• 9. The immature virus breaks free of the
  infected cell.
• 10. The new virus matures raw materials are cut
  by the protease enzyme and assembled into a
  functioning virus.

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How do you get it?

• The virus gets into your body from contact of
  fluids (blood, sexual fluids, breast milk)
• Sexual Intercourse, Oral Sex, Anal Sex
• Needle Sharing
• Transfusions
• From Mother to Child

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How do you get rid of it?

• YOU CANT!!!!!!!
• HIV can be treated
• Antiviral Treatments
• There is not a vaccine nor a cure!
• New drugs are very expensive
• Virus is constantly evolving

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List of some of the antiviral drugs

• AZT (ZDV, zidovudine, Retrovir)
• ddI (didanosine, Videx)
• ddC (zalcitabine, Hivid)
• d4T (stavudine, Zerit)
• 3TC (lamivudine, Epivir)
• Abacavir (Ziagen)
• Tenofovir (Viread)
• Combivir (AZT/3TC combination)
• Trizivir (AZT/3TC/Abacavir combination)
• Emtricitabine (FTC, Emtriva)
• Nevirapine (NVP, Viramune)
• Delavirdine (DLV, Rescriptor)
• Efavirenz (EFV, Sustiva)
• Saquinavir (SQV, Invirase and Fortovase)
• Indinavir (IDV, Crixivan)
• Ritonavir (RTV, Norvir)
• Nelfinavir (NFV, Viracept)
• Amprenavir (APV, Agenerase)
• Lopinavir (LPV, Kaletra)

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Side effects of drugs

• Fatigue Most people with HIV feel tired at least
  part of the time. It's important to find the
  cause of fatigue and deal with it.
• Anemia can cause fatigue. Anemia increases your
  risk of getting sicker with HIV infection.
  Routine blood tests can detect anemia, and it can
  be treated.
• Digestive Problems Many drugs can make you feel
  sick to your stomach. They can cause nausea,
  vomiting, gas, or diarrhea. Home remedies
  include
• Instead of three big meals, eat small amounts,
  more often.
• Eat mild foods and soups, not spicy.
• Ginger ale or ginger tea might settle your
  stomach. So can the smell of fresh lemon.
• Don't skip meals or to lose too much weight!
• Be careful with over-the-counter or prescription
  nausea drugs. They can interact with HIV
  medications.
• Gas and bloating can be reduced by avoiding foods
  like beans, some raw vegetables, and vegetable
  skins.
• Diarrhea can range from a small hassle to a
  serious condition. Tell your doctor if diarrhea
  goes on too long or if it's serious.

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Symptoms cont.

• Skin Problems Some medications cause rashes.
  Most are temporary, but in rare cases they
  indicate a serious reaction. Talk to your doctor
  if you have a rash. Other skin problems include
  dry skin or hair loss. Moisturizers help some
  skin problems.
• Neuropathy is a painful condition caused by
  nerve damage. It normally starts in the feet or
  hands.
• Mitochondrial Toxicity is damage to structures
  inside the cells. It might cause neuropathy or
  kidney damage, and can cause a buildup of lactic
  acid in the body.
• Bone Problems have recently been identified in
  people with HIV. Bones can lose their mineral
  content and become brittle. A loss of blood
  supply can cause hip problems

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Symptoms cont.

• Lipodystrophy includes fat loss in arms, legs and
  face fat gain in the stomach or behind the neck
  and increases in fats (cholesterol) and sugar
  (glucose) in the blood. These changes may
  increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

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Where can you get tested?

• www.gettestedchicago.com

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Additional Information

• The following website includes a comprehensive
  database of information regarding all aspects of
  HIV/AIDS
• www.avert.org