It has been over 30 years since the first known cases of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) which is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) was reported. HIV attacks and disables the body 's immune system. The virus attacks, the T lymphocyte (T cell), a type of white blood cell. Formed in the bone marrow the T cell helps the body fight off germs and diseases. Once HIV enters the body, it attacks this cell, copies itself and destroys the cell. Being HIV-positive indicates that a person has been infected with the human immunodeficiency virus but does not yet have AIDS. After the white blood cell is destroyed, the virus moves on to the next healthy cell.
It takes years for the virus to damage enough cells to make the person sick. If left untreated, an HIV-positive person will eventually begin to feel sick. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when their T cell count falls extremely low. A few of the symptoms a person might experience include swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fevers, headaches, diarrhea, and fatigue, depending on stage of the disease. (HIV/AIDS n.d.) It is estimated that 35 million men, women, and children are living with AIDS around the world and an estimated 39 million people have died due to HIV-related causes. (aids.gov, 2013) For years, doctors, researchers, pharmaceutical scientist, and scores of other support personnel have been studying, pursuing treatments, performing clinical trials, and searching for a cure for
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection is a long-term (chronic) viral infection. HIV kills white blood cells that help to control the body's defense system (immune system) and fight infection. HIV spreads through semen, pre-seminal fluid, blood, breast milk, rectal fluid, and vaginal fluid. HIV is commonly spread through sexual contact and sharing needles or syringes, because these behaviors involve exchanging bodily fluids. Without treatment, HIV can turn into AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), an advanced stage of HIV infection. AIDS is a very serious illness and can be life-threatening.
What is HIV? It is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS if not treated. The Kaiser Family Foundation (2008), states that HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. If left untreated, it reduces the number of T-Cells in the body, making the person more likely to get other infections. Also noted is the fact that HIV destroys so many of these cells that it renders the body helpless in fighting off the infections, while it takes advantage of the weaker immune system. This occurrence is part of the
“HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections” (AIDS.Gov, 2016).
AIDS, which stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, has a set of symptoms that has caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV. This type of virus is considered to be when a person’s immune system is too weak to defend advanced HIV infections and how it develops certain symptoms and illnesses that will destroy the immune system. Most of the infections are harmless for healthy people, but the ones that have AIDS can die from the same diseases. “There is no cure for HIV and AIDS yet. However, treatment can control
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, If left untreated, HIV attacks the the body’s nervous system and also cells that try to stop diseases or std’s, after a while HIV will kill to many of those cells to the point where there won't be enough to fight off any diseases and will start to break down the immune system. Most commonly from unprotected sex and sharng needles with the infected. HIV is transmitted from blood, sperm, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. HIV cannot be transmitted from saliva, HIV can also be transmitted from damaged tissue, open cuts, kissing or touching, mosquitoes, or blood transfusions. Aids is the more advanced stage of HIV. The symptoms are similar for both sexes-> chills, fatigue, fever, genital sores, mouth sores, muscle aches, rashes, sore throat, and
Dan McClain is a sheriff in Scott County Indiana who opposed needle exchange programs until there was a surge in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) outbreaks that were directly influenced by the drug Opana. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linking a HIV outbreak to Opana usage within Scott County in Indiana causes the need for extreme attention to this prescription pill. In March of 2011 Scott County experienced eight new HIV cases, and just two months later that number had increased to 81 new cases, causing a significant concern for Dan McClain. He is sheriff within Scott County and wanted to know how he could quickly intercept the worst HIV outbreak Indiana had ever experienced. The untimely involvement of Opana’s in
Initially, HIV-infected individuals will experience mild symptoms—fever, headache, and fatigue—but as the disease progresses, the immune system will weaken, and the symptoms will become worse. Symptoms of later-stage HIV infection include rapid weight loss, memory loss, recurring fever, and diarrhea that lasts more than a week. During this time, opportunistic infections become increasingly likely. These infections would not be a problem in a person with a normal immune system, but for people with a compromised immune system, they can become very troublesome. The infections are treated, but the progress of the disease cannot be
Symptoms vary depending on what stage the person is in. There’s three stages. The early stage, the clinical latency stage, and AIDS. Not all
In present day society, a silent pandemic affects countless humans. These diseases are known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STDs typically spread without warning and once the diseases are contracted, it is impossible to eliminate even with assistance from advance modern medicine. In particular, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) are notorious for their capability to end a person’s way of life. These viral maladies are noted for their differences concerning methods of transmission in the body, distinct lack of prominent symptoms, and dissimilar treatments used on patients to ease the symptoms.
HIV attacks the body’s immune system, by destroying CD4 cells also knows as T cells, that are a type of white blood cells that help the body immune system fight off infections. T cells have proteins that helps the HIV virus bind. If HIV is left untreated, it can reduce the numbers of infected CD4 cells in the body, making the person's more prone to infections ("CD4 Count, HIV, and AIDS: Test and Results -- What They Mean," n.d.). Over time, HIV can completely destroy these cells and the body can no longer fight off infectious disease. When the body begins losing its ability to fight infections and the CD4 cell
Over the last three decades, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease (AIDS) epidemic has been a public health concern in the United States (US) and globally. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], (2015d) estimates that in the US, over 1.2 million people are living with HIV, of which 12.8% are unaware of their diagnosis. Due to exceptional medical advances in treatment and prevention strategies, a healthier quality of life and longevity can now be achieved with persons diagnosed with HIV (Irvine et al., 2014; CDC 2015a; Sayles, Wong, Kinsler, Martins, & Cunningham, 2009). However, despite the advance from a deathly diagnosis to a chronic disease, the continuum of care in treatment is still threatened.
AIDS is a condition that develops when a person’s body has been weakened by HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus). HIV can spread through sexual contact or the sharing of needles. When someone has HIV, their immune system is weakened. When the immune system is weakened, an individual is susceptible to opportunistic infections. Kaposi’s Sarcoma, Candidiasis, Cryptococcus, Tuberculosis, Toxoplasmosis, Herpes Simplex, and a few of the opportunistic infections. The CD4 T-cell is slowly invaded. HIV uses the immune cell’s genetic material to reproduce itself and then kills the CD4 T-cell. An individual may not have any symptoms at this time. Once the CD4 T-cell count is below 200, the diagnosis is AIDS.
Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is one of the most important health challenges in the world, because it can be preventive. In the United States over 1.2 million people are infected with HIV, and roughly 1 in 5 people are unaware they are infected (CDC, 2014) One of the best and most effective ways to reduce the spread of the virus is by creating HIV awareness, by implementing intervention programs in high risk HIV communities. This paper will provide an overall view of HIV, risk factors/health behaviors and analysis on HIV intervention programs, and the responsibilities of health educators.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become more commonly seen in the world. It is important to show compassion rather than judging that patient based on a virus. The hygienist plays an important role in making the patient feel comfortable and in a judgment free environment. The patient should not feel as if the disease or virus defines the overall character of the patient. Standards precautions are still the same when treating all patients with or without a compromising disease or virus. However, the hygienist should be aware of future signs and symptoms of the oral cavity due to HIV. Education on awareness will allow the hygienist to provide certain treatment to that particular patient to increase comfort and prevent further irritation.
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. A member of a group of viruses called retroviruses, HIV infects human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by those cells to grow and reproduce. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease in which the body's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off certain infections, known as "opportunistic infections," and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system. When a person is infected with HIV, the virus enters the body and lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells. These are the immune cells that normally protect us from disease.