HIV/STI/HCV Prevention
Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
HIV/AIDS
What is it?
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a virus that attacks the immune system, resulting in chronic, progressive illness that leaves people vulnerable to opportunist infections and cancers. When the body can no longer fight off infections, the disease is known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is a deadly disease that has already killed more then 25 million people worldwide.
How is it spread?
In order to become infected, the virus must enter a person’s bloodstream.
HIV can be transmitted by:
• Unprotected sexual intercourse
• Sharing needles or equipment for injecting drugs
• Unsterilized needles for tattooing, skin piercing and acupuncture
• Pregnancy, delivery and breast feeding
What are the symptoms?
Most people newly infected with HIV show few, if any, symptoms for a few years. But, during this time HIV is multiplying and infecting/killing CD4 and T cells in the immune system.
Some people, but not all, develop symptoms within a month or two after exposure to HIV. These people may have flu like symptoms including:
Early Symptoms
• Fever
• Rash
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Achy muscles and joints
Later Symptoms( 8-9 years later)
Usually it takes about eight to nine years between infections and the appearance of later symptoms, although this varies from person to person. These symptoms signal that the immune system is deteriorating, due to decline in C4+ T cells.
Some of the symptoms may include:
- Weight Loss
- Frequent Fevers
- Night Sweats
- Thrush
- Bone Pain
- Short Term Memory Loss
- Genital Sores
- Chronic or Frequent Diarrhea
- Blurred Vision
- Persistent enlarged lymph nodes
It is considered AIDS when a CD4+ T cell count is below 200 or if you have 1 of 12 opportunist infections.
How is it diagnosed?
A blood test is used to confirm whether a person has been infected by HIV. Early Diagnosis is important because it allows the individual to seek treatment and prevent the spread of the virus.
Testing is available at hospitals, health centre’s and most family clinics. In some cases the body may take 3 to 6 months to produce enough antibodies so that the disease can be detectable.
How is it treated?
There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. However, it is imperative that individuals that are infected contact a physician immediately to fully benefit from the treatment available, including highly active antiretroviral treatments. (HAART) Treatment involves using a combination of three or more antiretroviral medications that work together to slow the rate at which HIV multiplies in the body thus allowing the immune system to stay healthy and delaying the progression of the disease to AIDS. It can be difficult for people to find a drug regimen that works for them due to the virus’ mutations, adaptability and partly related to drug related side effects.
Some treatments are beginning to fail due to drug resistance by new strains of the virus.
What about sexual partners?
It is important to tell your sexual partner(s) if you are infected with HIV/AIDS. If you have had unprotected with any of your sexual partner(s) is it important to contact them or to have a public health nurse notify them so that they can get tested and if they are infected can seek treatment. It is important to use to a condom to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Is follow-up important?
There is no cure for HIV/AIDS but it is important to keep in contact with your doctor in order to keep them up to date on your treatment plans. It is imperative that you attend all of our appointments in order to assure that your treatment is working.
Adapted and Reprinted with the Permission of Toronto Public Health 2010
