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Table of Contents
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus while AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV attacks the immune system and causes AIDS. AIDS is the last stage of HIV infection.
See the fact file below for more information on the HIV/AIDS or alternatively, you can download our 22-page HIV/AIDS worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
WHAT IS HIV?
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, making the person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.
- HIV was first publicized in 1981.
- Untreated HIV infects and kills CD4 cells, which are a type of immune cell called T cells.
- HIV is a lifelong condition and currently has no cure.
- By taking HIV medication called Antiretroviral Therapy or ART, people with HIV can live a long and normal life.
HOW TO KNOW?
- Several tests are used to diagnose HIV, depending on what is best for the person.
- Antibody tests check the blood solely for antibodies.
- People who have contracted HIV develop detectable HIV antibodies between 23 to 90 days after transmission.
- There are also antibody tests that can be done at home using portable equipment.
- Another test that can be used is a combination of antibody and antigen tests.
- Antibody/antigen tests are the most commonly used tests.
- Antibody/antigen tests usually show accurate results within 18 to 45 days after someone initially contracts HIV.
- An antibody is a type of protein that the body makes to fight the infection.
- An antigen is the part of a virus that activates the body’s immune system.
- Another test that can be used is the NAT or the Nucleic Acid Test.
- The NAT aims to look for the virus itself, which usually takes 5 to 21 days to be detectable upon contraction.
HIV TRANSMISSION
- HIV is transmitted in bodily fluids that include blood, semen, rectal fluids, and breast milk.
- Some of the ways HIV can be spread from person to person include:
- sharing of needles or syringes
- during pregnancy
- during breastfeeding
- HIV can also be transmitted through blood transfusion or organ and tissue transplants.
- HIV cannot be transmitted through:
- skin-to-skin contact
- air or water
- sharing food or drinks
STAGES OF HIV
- There are three stages of HIV.
- Stage 1: Acute HIV Infection.
- Happens within 2 to 4 weeks after infection of HIV.
- People at this stage usually experience flu-like illness as the body’s natural response to the infection.
- Stage 2: Clinical Latency
- This stage is also called chronic HIV infection.
- In this stage, the virus multiplies at very low levels.
- Stage 3: AIDS
- This is the last stage of HIV infection.
WHAT IS AIDS?
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS is the last stage of HIV infection.
- AIDS happens when the body’s immune system is already severely damaged because of the virus.
- A person that is HIV positive is considered to have progressed to AIDS when:
- the number of their CD4 cells has fallen below 200 per cubic millimeter of blood; or
- they develop one or more opportunistic infections regardless of the count of their CD4 cells.
- Opportunistic Infections (OIs) are infections that occur more frequently and more severely in people with weakened immune systems.
- Four of the most common OIs are: Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection, Salmonella infection, Candidiasis, and Toxoplasmosis.
EFFECTS
- HIV weakens the body’s immune system, which prevents the body from fighting diseases and infections that might come.
- As the virus enters the body, the person may experience fever, chills, night sweats, diarrhea, headache, muscle pains, joint pains, sore throat, rashes, swollen lymph glands, and mouth ulcers.
- As the virus advances, CD4 cells decrease.
- A decrease in CD4 count can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, and weight loss.
- HIV also increases the risk of colds, influenza, and pneumonia.
- HIV can also make one’s body prone to skin conditions such as eczema, scabies, and skin cancer.
- AIDS, as the last stage of HIV, can cause confusion and seizures.
- If not taken care of, AIDS can cause some complications like memory impairment, anxiety, and depression.
MEDICATIONS
- Treatment of HIV must begin as soon as possible after the diagnosis, regardless of viral load.
- Antiretroviral therapy is the main treatment for HIV.
- Antiretroviral therapy involves a combination of daily medications that prevent the virus from reproducing.
- This therapy also helps protect CD4 cells, thus, keeping the immune system strong enough to fight off diseases.
- Antiretroviral therapy also prevents the progression of HIV to AIDS.
- Antiretroviral medications are classified into six classes: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors, fusion inhibitors, CCR5 antagonists or entry inhibitors, and integrase strand transfer inhibitors.
- Generally, the recommended treatment regime starts with three HIV medications from at least two of the six classes.
- Although effective, antiretroviral therapy may include some side effects like nausea, headache, and dizziness.
PREVENTION
- Although there is currently no vaccine to prevent HIV, there are certain steps that can be taken to prevent the spread of HIV.
- Safer sexual intercouse by using condoms, making sure that your partner is HIV negative, and limiting sexual partners.
- Avoid sharing of needles or other drug paraphernalia.
- If suspected, consider obtaining post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to reduce the risk of contracting HIV.
- If at high risk, consider obtaining pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to lower the risk of contracting HIV.
HIV/AIDS Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about HIV/AIDS across 22 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use HIV/AIDS worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about HIV, which stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus while AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- HIV/AIDS Facts
- Tell Us More
- Is It?
- Look for Them
- Fight Them
- Break Them
- Correction!
- Complete the Story
- For You
- Post It
- 4 Pics 1 Word
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Link will appear as HIV/AIDS Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, March 16, 2020
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.