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Understanding AIDS: Symptoms and Risks

AIDS occurs when HIV infection destroys the immune system's T cells, weakening the body's ability to fight illness. HIV is transmitted through sexual contact and blood exposure. While antiviral drugs can treat HIV/AIDS, the virus currently has no cure.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
5 views2 pages

Understanding AIDS: Symptoms and Risks

AIDS occurs when HIV infection destroys the immune system's T cells, weakening the body's ability to fight illness. HIV is transmitted through sexual contact and blood exposure. While antiviral drugs can treat HIV/AIDS, the virus currently has no cure.

Uploaded by

Radamantis XZero
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

AIDS (ADQUIRED INMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME)

WHAT IS AIDS?  confusion and forgetfulness


 nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea,
and/or vomiting that do not go away
Occurs when infection with the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) destroys the body’s  vision loss
natural protection from illness. The  unexplained weight loss
immune system weakens to the point where it can be  fatigue or unusual tiredness
invaded by "opportunistic" infections  severe headaches
and certain cancers. These infections would  in children: conjunctivitis (pink eye), ear
not cause problems for healthy people. For infections, and tonsilitis
people with AIDS, they may cause serious or
even life-threatening problems. Diagnosis HIV an AIDS
Blood is an important part of the body’s
immune system. White blood cells help protect
people from disease. Certain white blood cells Blood test for the presence of T cells.
called T cells perform a crucial role. Some of According to the Centers for Disease Control,
the T cells are "helper" cells that signal other patients with less then 200 T cells per cubic
cells to do their jobs. HIV attacks and destroys millimeter of blood have AIDS (1,000 is a
the "helper" T cells. When enough cells are healthy level).
destroyed, the immune system no longer works n The diagnosis of an AIDS-related cancer.
and the patient has AIDS n The diagnosis of other clinical conditions,
mostly opportunistic infections which include
fungi, viruses, parasites, and bacterial infections
WHO GEST AIDS? such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.

The disease is contagious but it cannot be spread And many test for HIV
from person to person through the air. It is usually
spread through sexual contact with an infected partner.  ELISA antibody blood test
HIV can also be spread through contact with infected  Western Blot antibody blood test
blood. This can occur when drug users share needles  Blood test for the presence of HIV
or syringes.
AIDS risk factors AIDS treatments
 Sharing drug needles or syringes.
 Antiviral therapy known as antiretroviral
 Sexual contact (including oral, anal or drugs
vaginal  Treatments for infections
sex) with someone who is HIV positive  Treatments for cancers
or whose HIV status is unknown, without  Tratmens for symptoms
the protection of a latex male condom.
 Having another sexually transmitted disease
such as syphilis, herpes, chlamydial
infection, gonorrhea or bacterial vaginosis Therapy side effects
seems to increase the risk of being infected
by HIV during unprotected sexual contact  Fever and infection
with an infected partner.  Nausea, diarrhea and vomiting
 Babies can be infected by an HIV-positive  Fatigue or tiredness
mother during pregnancy, birth and  Headaches
breast feeding.  Skin rash

Common symptoms of HIV an AIDS What You Can Do to Help

Many people have no symptoms of HIV. Some  Help the patient keep his/her mouth clean;
have flu-like symptoms a month or two after brush teeth at least twice a day.
getting the virus. These may include fever,  Encourage the use of relaxation techniques
headache, tiredness, and enlarged lymph nodes to relieve stress and decrease symptoms.
(these are organs of the immune system in the  Distract your loved one with activities he/she
neck and groin). These symptoms usually go enjoys to
away before they are identified as HIV. decrease pain or other symptoms.
 Make sure your loved one gets plenty of
 large lymph nodes or "swollen glands" that rest.
may be enlarged for more than three months  Help rate and record the patient’s pain
 frequent fevers and sweats and/or fatigue
 skin rashes or flaky skin that does not in a journal.
go away  Help the patient take his/her medications in
the correct way.
 short-term memory loss
 slow growth or frequent illness in children
 cough and shortness of breath
 seizures and lack of coordination
 difficult or painful swallowing
PRACTICE

Choose the True and False sentences

 Infections whit AIDS would cause problems for healthy people


 White blood cells weakens to the point where it can be invaded.
 HIV attacks and supplies the helper T cells.
 Is transmissible for the air and saliva fluid.
 Another sexually transmitted disease increase the risk of being infected
by HIV during unprotected sexual contact.

Complete the following sentences.

1. The________can be infected by HIV-positive mother during pregnancy.


2. Slow growth of frequent__________ ___________
3. Test Count blood in patient whit HIV is less then__________________
4. Two types of test for HIV.
___________________ ____________________

Links the words...

1. syphilis, herpes, chlamydial infection a.- therapy side effects


2. opportunistic infection b.- children
3. fatigue or tiredness c.- bacterial, virus,
parasites.
4. pink eye d.- unprotected sexual
contact.
VOCABULARY

1. Loved one:

2. Outcome:

3. Caregivers:

4. Weakens:

5. Life-threatening:
6.

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