HIV/AIDS Lecture Notes

Flashcards on HIV/AIDS

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

The virus that people contract, which in most cases, progresses to AIDS. HIV tests detect HIV antibodies.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

A - acquired, because it is not inherited; I - immune, because it affects the immune system; D - deficiency, because the body lacks immunity; S - syndrome, because the symptoms occur as a group

Opportunistic Infection

An infection that normally does not occur or is not life threatening, but that takes advantage of a weakened immune system

5 Body Fluids that Transmit HIV

Blood, semen, vaginal secretions, pre-ejaculatory fluid, breastmilk

Worldwide HIV/AIDS Statistics

Since the first reported cases, more than 88.4 million people have been infected, and more than 42.3 million people have died

Antiretroviral therapy or ART

Daily drug regimen for HIV positive persons; HIV+ persons on ART have life expectancy similar to HIV- persons

HIV Care Continuum

The steps that people with HIV take from diagnosis to achieving and maintaining viral suppression.

Vigilance

Seeking knowledge and act on that knowledge

Avoidance

Attribute symptoms to less serious ailments and avoid physicians