Definition of HIV/AIDS and its Effects on the Body
What does HIV and AIDS stand for?
HIV stands for Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
Which bodily fluids contain enough HIV to cause infection?
Blood, vaginal fluids, semen, pre-semen and breastmilk
What does HIV stands for?
Human Immuno-deficiency Virus
True or false? There is a cure for HIV/AIDS.
False: There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. ARVs can help an HIV+ person live longer, but they cannot remove the virus from the body. Scientists and doctors are still looking for a cure.
Being friends with someone who is HIV+?
You cannot get HIV from simply being friends with someone who is HIV+. You can only get HIV if you get expose to the virus from unprotected sex, or unclean needles.
What system of the body does HIV attacks?
HIV attacks the immune system.
Does saliva contain traces of HIV?
Saliva contains almost undetectable amounts of HIV, but this trace amount is so small that it is impossible to get HIV from kissing someone. You would have to drink 7 liters of saliva and have an open wound to get HIV.
True or False? If you have sex only with your partner, you cannot get HIV or AIDS.
False: If your partner already has HIV or contracts HIV while you are together you can still get HIV.
What is an antibody?
Antibodies are a specific type of white blood cell. The human body makes specific antibodies to fight against certain illnesses. There is a different antibody for each illness. HIV has its own antibodies.
kissing someone?
You cannot get HIV from kissing if you are only sharing spit and saliva. If you have a cut or a wound in your mouth and there is blood present, then the risk is much higher due to the blood.
What does the Immune system do?
The immune system fights off viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other diseases that can damage the body.
True or false? You cannot get HIV through oral sex.
False: You can get HIV through oral sex, although the risk is lower than if you have unprotected anal or vaginal sex.
True or false? Abstinence is the only 100% way to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases and HIV.
True: Not having sex or consistently and correctly using condoms can reduce the risk of HIV transmission during sex, but abstinence is the only 100% protection from sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
What is an ARV? What does it do?
ARV stands for Anti Retro-Viral. A retro-virus is a type of virus. ARVs are medicines that fight the HIV retro-virus by slowing down its effect on the body’s immune system.
Sharing a knife, sex toys, razor blade or needle to make traditional cuts for ceremonies or medical reasons, or to create tattoos or piercings?
This is a risky behaviour. Sharing a sharp object for cutting skin means that you are sharing blood with anyone else that uses it. The more people that use the sharp object or the sex toy, the higher the risk.
What is the Window period?
The window period is the time that it takes your body to produce enough HIV antibodies to show up on an HIV test. 2 weeks and up to six months.
True or false? If the man withdraws his penis before orgasm, he cannot transmit or receive HIV virus.
The man can transmit HIV through pre-seminal fluid, the liquid from the penis that precedes orgasm. The man can receive HIV through fluids present in the vagina or anal cavity.
True or false? You can use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) as a lubricant when you are using a male condom.
False: Vaseline or any oil-based lubricant can rot the rubber of a male condom and make it break during sex.
What is a good reason to have an HIV test?.
To know your status, to protect your sexual partners, to protect your friends or family who might come in contact with your blood, to get counselling or advice to help live a healthier life if you are HIV positive, to protect your baby if you are pregnant and to receive medical care as soon as possible.
sharing a bed, clothes or blankets?
You cannot get HIV from sharing clothes or bedding with someone because there is no exchange of bodily fluids.
What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system and dramatically weakens it. AIDS is the combination of several opportunistic diseases that have attacked the body in its weakened state. A person is said to have AIDS when their T-cell count drops below 200 and has one or more opportunistic infections.
In what three ways does the mother transmit HIV to her baby?
During pregnancy, birth, and breast-feeding
What kind of activities can you do with your sexual partner, boyfriend/girlfriend if you choose to abstain from sex.
Hold hands, kiss, go for walks, watch films together, be with friends, get cool drinks, cuddle, dancing and homework among other things.
If a person begins to take ARVs, why must they take ARVs for the rest of their lives?
When a person starts taking ARVs, the amount of virus in the blood is kept low or undetected, which is why the person can feel healthy. If they then stop, the amount of virus will rise and the person can get opportunistic infections.Stopping can cause the HIV meds to not work anymore or become resistant.
breast-feeding?
This is a risky behaviour because breast milk can carry HIV. It is best to talk to a doctor if you are pregnant and have HIV.