Biological or infectious agent

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus is the causative agent for Acquired
Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).  

Resoservoir

A latent HIV reservoir is a group of immune cells in the body that are infected with HIV but
are not actively producing new HIV. HIV attacks immune system cells in the body and uses the
cells' machinery to make copies of itself. However, some HIV-infected immune cells go into a
resting (or latent) state.

PORTAL OR ROUTE OF EXIT

Although the portal of entry for HIV infection is typically through direct blood inoculation or
exposure of the virus to genital mucosal surfaces, the GI tract contains a large amount of
lymphoid tissue, making this an ideal site for HIV replication.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

HIV can be transmitted via the exchange of a variety of body fluids from infected people,
such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions. HIV can also be transmitted
from a mother to her child during pregnancy and delivery. Individuals cannot become
infected through ordinary day-to-day contact such as kissing, hugging, shaking hands,
or sharing personal objects, food or water. 

PORTAL OF ENTERY

Transmission of HIV can only occur when an HIV-infected body fluid enters the body through a
port of entry (examples: vagina, anus, veins, mouth, direct access to tissue). You cannot get
HIV through touching, kissing, sharing food or beverages, or being friends with someone who is
HIV positive.

SUSCEPTIBLE HOSTS

Behaviours and conditions that put individuals at greater risk of contracting HIV include:

 having unprotected anal or vaginal sex;

 having another sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as syphilis, herpes,
chlamydia, gonorrhoea and bacterial vaginosis;
 sharing contaminated needles, syringes and other injecting equipment and drug
solutions when injecting drugs;
  receiving unsafe injections, blood transfusions and tissue transplantation, and
medical procedures that involve unsterile cutting or piercing; and
 experiencing accidental needle stick injuries, including among health workers

PRIMERY PREVANTION OF HIV AIDS

The greatest protection (and best step) is either to have one monogamous, HIV-negative
partner or to abstain from sex. The next best step is to always use a latex condom if one is
having sex with more than one partner, with a partner who is HIV positive, or with a partner who
may not be monogamous.

ou can use strategies such as abstinence (not having sex), never sharing needles, and using
condoms the right way every time you have sex. You may also be able to take advantage of HIV
prevention medicines such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure
prophylaxis (PEP).

SECONDARY PREVANTION OF HIV AIDS

The key features of secondary prevention of AIDS are the following.

 Timely treatment and health care management.

 Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases
 Nutrition and health promotion for people living with HIV
 Harm reduction
 Treatment education
 Awareness and support regarding training and access to secondary prevention including the
following points.

 Primary care referral

 Supportive medical and non medical services
 Acess to transportation
 Housing
 Food and childcare
 Skill building for self advocacy
 Negotiating social service network
 Nutrition correction

Examples include: regular exams and screening tests to detect disease in its earliest
stages (e.g. mammograms to detect breast cancer) daily, low-dose aspirins and/or diet and
exercise programs to prevent further heart attacks or strokes.

Tertiary prevention of hiv aids