HIV Fact Sheet: What Does HIV Stand For?

1. HIV FACT SHEET 1
Obumneke Amadi’s, Dr.PH, MPH_ Transcripts:
HIV Fact Sheet
What Does HIV Stand For?
H “Human” - This virus can only infect human beings.
I- “Immunodeficiency” – HIV weaken your immune systemby destroying important cells that fight disease
and infection.
V “Virus” - reproduces itselfby taking over the cells in the body.
What does it do?
HIV invades the body and attacks your immune system(T-cells or CD4 cells) that fight infections and
disease,and ultimately destroys them. HIV infection can lead to AIDS. HIV is preventable. There is no
cure for HIV or AIDS both are treatable. Being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS is not a “death sentence.”
How Is HIV Transmitted?
HIV is transmitted from one person to anotherwhen the following infected fluids enter the bloodstreamof
anotherperson:
Blood, Semen and pre-ejaculation fluid, vaginal fluids, Breast milk
Ways You Can Get Infected With HIV
Sex - having anal, vaginal or oral sex without a condom
Needles - sharing needles,perform body piercing, tattoos
Mother to child - through pregnancy,birth or breast feeding.
Ways That HIV Is NOT Transmitted
Hugging, kissing, shaking hands
Swimming in a public pool’ using a telephone, using a public restroom
Coughing or sneezing, Being bitt en by an insect
Sharing food or drink with someone who has HIV or that they prepared;
What are the Symptoms?
Before diagnosis:
No feelings of illness or Signs of a fever, headaches,sore throat, or develop a rash.
After Diagnosis:
Years later, people feel sick with infections (like colds,pneumonias); Sores in mouth; Shingles;
Rashes or skin infections; Headaches; Diarrhea; Fever, weight loss night sweating and weakness.
Risk Factors
Behaviors and conditions such as: having unprotected analor vaginal sex; having anothersexually
transmitted infection; sharing contaminated needle; blood transfusions .
What Should I do if I am at Risk?
Get help: Talk to your primary physician and GET TESTED
Take the Test,Protect Our People
Prevention
Testing and counselling for HIV and STIs; use male and female condomuse;
Treatment
Use antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs
Source: (HIV/AIDS, 2013; HIV/AIDS Basics, 2012).
Reference
HIV/AIDS (2013). Fact sheet N°360. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs360/en/
HIV/AIDS Basics (2012). Learn the Basics, Know the Facts, Take Care of Yourself.
Retrieved from http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/