HIV/AIDS BACKGROUND

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that progressively weakens the immune system and once contracted, remains with a person for his/her lifetime. HIV infects helper T-cells, specifically CD4+ T cells, which act as the body’s main defense against infection. Once CD4+ T cells decline below the critical level of 200 per cubic mm of blood, cell-mediated immune response ceases, leaving the body more vulnerable to opportunistic infections caused by bacteria and other viruses. This is the most advanced stage of infection caused by HIV and is known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Most people who are HIV-positive do not have AIDS, but the prevalence of HIV/AIDS has become an increasing health hazard to human populations worldwide since it was first reported in the early 1980’s. Over 60 million people have been afflicted with HIV/AIDS globally, 25 million of which have died from the disease.

Transmission of HIV occurs via four bodily fluids: semen, vaginal fluid, blood, and breast milk. The disease is spread most commonly through sexual intercourse and by the introduction of infected blood into another person through shared needles or syringes. Mothers who have HIV may spread the virus to their children during pregnancy, birth, or while breast-feeding.

Symptoms associated with initial contraction of the HIV virus include fever, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, rash, and sores in the mouth. These symptoms tend to appear shortly after initial infection and last for approximately 1-2 weeks. However, not all individuals will experience these symptoms and because they are very similar to those associated with the common cold or flu, infected individuals are often unaware they have contracted HIV. An HIV test, which is conducted by detecting HIV antibodies in a blood sample, is the only means of determining whether or not an individual has contracted the virus. While there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, there are medications that prolong the deterioration of the immune system and lengthen the life of the afflicted individual. The efficacy with which the global community manages and prevents the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the coming years will have profound impacts on future generations.


BACKGROUND
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	The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that progressively weakens the immune system and once contracted, remains with a person for his/her lifetime. HIV infects helper T-cells, specifically CD4+ T cells, which act as the body’s main defense against infection. Once CD4+ T cells decline below the critical level of 200 per cubic mm of blood, cell-mediated immune response ceases, leaving the body more vulnerable to opportunistic infections caused by bacteria and other viruses. This is the most advanced stage of infection caused by HIV and is known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Most people who are HIV-positive do not have AIDS, but the prevalence of HIV/AIDS has become an increasing health hazard to human populations worldwide since it was first reported in the early 1980’s. Over 60 million people have been afflicted with HIV/AIDS globally, 25 million of which have died from the disease. Transmission of HIV occurs via four bodily fluids: semen, vaginal fluid, blood, and breast milk. The disease is spread most commonly through sexual intercourse and by the introduction of infected blood into another person through shared needles or syringes. Mothers who have HIV may spread the virus to their children during pregnancy, birth, or while breast-feeding. Symptoms associated with initial contraction of the HIV virus include fever, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, rash, and sores in the mouth. These symptoms tend to appear shortly after initial infection and last for approximately 1-2 weeks. However, not all individuals will experience these symptoms and because they are very similar to those associated with the common cold or flu, infected individuals are often unaware they have contracted HIV. An HIV test, which is conducted by detecting HIV antibodies in a blood sample, is the only means of determining whether or not an individual has contracted the virus. While there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, there are medications that prolong the deterioration of the immune system and lengthen the life of the afflicted individual. The efficacy with which the global community manages and prevents the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the coming years will have profound impacts on future generations. Created by: Stephanie Diermeier diermesg@uwec.edu Lawrence Hoffman hoffmala@uwec.edu Kelly McHugh mchughka@uwec.edu Jennifer Mikolajczyk mikolaja@uwec.edu Dan Vidaillet vidailds@uwec.edu Last Updated: May 7, 2007