HIV/ AIDS
Answers to your questions
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
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
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
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
What are symptoms of AIDS?
There are NO symptoms of HIV
When you have AIDS you have symptoms
of a suppressed immune system
What is the life cycle of HIV?
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.
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
How do you get rid of it?
YOU CAN’T!!!!!!!
HIV can be treated
Antiviral Treatments
There is not a vaccine nor a cure!
New drugs are very expensive
Virus is constantly evolving
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®)
Atazanavir (TAZ, Reyataz®)
Fosamprenavir (908, Lexiva®)
Enfuvirtide (T-20, Fuzeon®)
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.
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
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.
Where can you get tested?
www.gettestedchicago.com
Additional Information
The following website includes a
comprehensive database of information
regarding all aspects of HIV/AIDS
www.avert.org