HIV / AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is different from other viruses. When the virus enters the blood it hides inside the helper cells resulting in the inability to kill the virus. After remaining in the blood for a few months, the virus begins to replicate itself. As a result of the affected helper cells, chance of illness and infection increases.
Transmission of the virus occurs by:
The virus progresses through three stages:
Stage 1: Infection
- Symptom-free condition lasting several years
Stage 2: Disease
- Chronic diarrhea and fatigue
- Severe weight loss
- Non-productive coughs; shortness of breath; swollen lymph nodes
- Fevers of unknown origin
- Skin rashes
- Increased risk of infection
Stage 3: AIDS (Auto-Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
- Hospitalization required
- Complete bed rest
The following document is a fact sheet on HIV/AIDS provided by the TWU APE/A department:
Transmission of the virus occurs by:
- Having unprovoked sexual contact with someone who has the virus
- Sharing needles or syringes with someone who has the virus
- Receiving blood transfusion or transplants of tissue or organs donated by someone with the virus
- Getting infected blood, semen, breast milk, or vaginal fluid into open wounds or sores
- Having artificial insemination with the sperm of a man who has the virus
- Being punctured or cut with a needle or surgical instrument contaminated with the virus
The virus progresses through three stages:
Stage 1: Infection
- Symptom-free condition lasting several years
Stage 2: Disease
- Chronic diarrhea and fatigue
- Severe weight loss
- Non-productive coughs; shortness of breath; swollen lymph nodes
- Fevers of unknown origin
- Skin rashes
- Increased risk of infection
Stage 3: AIDS (Auto-Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
- Hospitalization required
- Complete bed rest
The following document is a fact sheet on HIV/AIDS provided by the TWU APE/A department:
hiv_aids.pdf | |
File Size: | 95 kb |
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