AIDS+(HIV)

=Aids / HIV=

** Description of virus that causes the disease. **
It has 2 fragments RNA molecules and is smaller than the pore size of a condom. Aids (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is caused by infection with a virus called Human Imnodeficiency Virus(HIV) AIDS is now a pandemic.

Viral Specificity:
AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a disorder that is caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. HIV uses the cell's genetic material, it damages the T-cell making it unable to do its job in our immune system. Lymphoma and a rare tumor of blood vessels in the skin called Kaposi's sarcoma Having too few CD4 cells also permits some cancers that are stimulated by viral illness to occur. Sometimes affects the skin in certain areas of the body.

** Symptoms and progression of the disease: **

 * Early signs and symptoms **

Often mistaken for the flu or a mild viral infection.
 * Fever
 * Headache
 * Tiredness
 * Nausea
 * Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin

Later Signs and Symptoms of HIV/AIDS
HIV destroys the white blood cells that are required to fight infection. As the white cell count falls, numerous infections and diseases emerge. At this point it is said the person has AIDS. Althought you cannot rely on those signs and symptoms to diagnose AIDS. The symptoms of AIDS are similar to the symptoms of many other illnesses.
 * rapid weight loss
 * dry cough
 * recurring fever or profuse night sweats
 * profound and unexplained fatigue
 * swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
 * white spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
 * pneumonia
 * red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
 * memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders

** Common Methods of Transmission: **
Pictures/flowchart/graphic organizer if possible The following factors if present will make transmission more likely. AIDS so far know cannot be transmitted through saliva by kissing. However, the lining of the mouth can be infected by HIV. It cannot be transmitted through mosquitoes or other biting insects.
 * 1) Sexual intercourse with an infected person is the commonest mode of spread.
 * 2) Sharing of needles (especially by intravenous drug users) sharp objects used for personal hygiene like shaving sticks and hair clippers. [[image:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/visualculture/images/A26366.jpg width="485" height="188" caption="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/visualculture/images/A26366.jpg"]]
 * 3) Transmission from an infected mother to her baby.
 * 4) Transfusion of un-screened infected blood and blood products.
 * 5) Chances of getting HIV are much greater when you have intercourse without proper protection.
 * Another sexually transmitted disease
 * Lack of circumcision in men
 * Menstruation
 * Hormonal imbalance
 * sores, ulcers and irritation of the genitals
 * unusual sexual practices, especially those that cause bruising of the lining of the vagina. This is a big factor in cases of rape
 * Taking birth control pills
 * The chances are also greater for the "receiver" of the penetrative act than it is for the "giver" in any sexual act
 * Poor nutritional status especially the lack of vitamins and mine


 * Treatment of AIDS and HIV Infection **

Medications to control the reproduction of the virus and to slow or halt the progression are called Anti-HIV (or antiretroviral). Anit-HIV medications do not cure HIV infection and you can still transmit HIV to others. The treatment of HIV infection and AIDS is in a highly dynamic state. Individuals with this condition are advised to seek out experts in their local community who are current with the latest modes of therapy and ongoing clinical trials for evaluating newer therapies. Drugs such as: Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs) Delavirdine (Rescriptor, DLV) Pfizer Efavirenz (Sustiva, EFV) Bristol-Myers Squibb Nevirapine (Viramune, NVP) Boehringer Ingelheim Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs) Abacavir (Ziagen, ABC) GlaxoSmithKline Abacavir,Lamivudine, Zidovudine (Trizivir) GlaxoSmithKline Didanosine (Videx, ddI, Videx EC) Bristol-Myers Squibb Emtricitabine (Emtriva, FTC, Coviracil) Gilead Sciences Lamivudine (Epivir, 3TC) GlaxoSmithKline Lamivudine, Zidovudine (Combivir) GlaxoSmithKline Stavudine ( Zerit, d4T) Bristol-Myers Squibb Tenofovir DF (Viread, TDF) Gilead Sciences Zalcitabine (Hivid, ddC) Hoffmann-La Roche Atripla (tenofovir, emtricitabine, efavirenz) Gilead Sciences Zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT, ZDV) GlaxoSmithKline Protease Inhibitors (PIs) Amprenavir (Agenerase, APV) GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Atazanavir (Reyataz, ATV) Bristol-Myers Squibb Fosamprenavir (Lexiva, FPV) GlaxoSmithKline, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Indinavir (Crixivan, IDV) Merck Lopinavir, Ritonavir (Kaletra, LPV/r) Abbott Laboratories Nelfinavir (Viracept, NFV) Agouron Pharmaceuticals Ritonavir (Norvir, RTV) Abbott Laboratories Saquinavir (Fortovase, SQV) Invirase Hoffmann-La Roche Tipranavir (Aptivus) Boehringer-Ingelheim Darunavir (Prezista) Tibotec Therapeutics Fusion Inhibitors Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon, T-20) Hoffmann-La Roche, Trimeris

The only way to protect from contracting AIDS sexually is to abstain from sex outside of a mutually faithful relationship with a partner whom the person knows is not infected with the AIDS virus. Otherwise, risks can be minimized if they:
 * Prevention of AIDS and HIV Infection **
 * Don't have sexual contact with anyone who has symptoms of AIDS or who is a member of a high risk group for AIDS.
 * Avoid sexual contact with anyone who has had sex with people at risk of getting AIDS.
 * Don't have sex with prostitutes.
 * Avoid having sex with anyone who has multiple and/or anonymous sexual partners.
 * Avoid oral, genital and anal contact with partner's blood, semen, vaginal secretions, feces or urine. Unless they know with absolute certainty that their partner is not infected, a latex condom should be used during each sexual act, from start to finish. The use of a spermicidal agent may provide additional protection.
 * Avoid anal intercourse altogether.
 * Don't share toothbrushes, razors or other implements that could become contaminated with the blood of anyone who is or might be infected with the AIDS virus.
 * Exercise caution regarding procedures, such as acupuncture, tattooing, ear piercing, etc., in which needles or other non sterile instruments may be used repeatedly to pierce the skin and/or mucous membranes. Such procedures are safe if proper sterilization methods are employed or disposable needles are used. Ask what precautions are taken before undergoing such procedures.
 * If an individual is scheduling surgery in the near future, and is able, they could consider donating blood for their own use. This will eliminate completely the already very small risk of contracting AIDS through a blood transfusion. It will also eliminate the risk of contracting other blood borne diseases (such as hepatitis) from a transfusion.

Focus mainly on historical background. Any unusual or interesting info? Ideas, "aha" moments or connections you made while researching?
 * Miscellaneous: **

Infection with HIV occurs by the transfer of blood, semen,vaginal fluid ,pre-ejaculate or breast milk. HIV is thought to have originated in non-human primates. Both HIV-1 and HIV-2 are believed to have originated in West-Central Africa and to have jumped species.

Facts:

.
 * Globally, more than 25 Million people have died since 1981.
 * In Africa, more than 40 Million children have been orphaned due to HIV.
 * India is the world's highest HIV/Aids casehold with 5.7 Million infected people.
 * Women represent half of all the people living with Aids.
 * African American women accounted for 67 % of estimated cases in 2004.
 * Since the mid 80's, the proportion of Aids cases among women has more than tripled, from 7 % in 1985 to 27 % in 2004.
 * In 2005, HIV/Aids related illnesses caused 3.1 Million deaths worldwide.
 * In 2005, five million new HIV infections occured globally approximately 14,000 each day.
 * About two-thirds of all the people estimated to be living with HIV reside in Africa

** Resources accessed: **
(At least two) ||

http://menshealth.about.com/od/conditions/a/HIV_signs.htm http://www.avert.org