AWARENESS ABOUT AIDS

HIV: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a retrovirus that attacks the cells of the immune system. HIV is transmitted through an exchange of bodily fluids (eg. exposure to infected blood, during sexual activity with an infected individual, by sharing needles). It can also pass from an infected mother to her child. HIV is the virus that eventually causes AIDS. AIDS: An Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome diagnosis is made when symptoms that indicate the disease (primarily a decrease in the number of immune system cells in a persons bloodstream) are identified by a doctor in a HIVpositive person. a disease that makes it difficult for the body to fight off infectious diseases.

HOW DOES SOMEONE BECOME INFECTED?

Sexual Fluids The number one way that HIV/AIDS is transmitted is through sexual fluids. This can be vaginally, orally or anally. Those most at risk are men who choose to have sex with men. However, AIDS can be spread man to woman, and even woman to woman as well. The best way to prevent contracting HIV/AIDS is through practicing abstinence or using a condom. Blood HIV/AIDS can also be spread through contact with an infected person's blood. This most commonly occurs through blood transfusions in areas of the world where there is little to no screening of blood donors or blood donations. However, it also can occur when infected blood is exposed to an opening on the skin such as a cut or other wound.

Needles
Intravenous drug use is also a common transmission method for HIV/AIDS. This occurs when drug users share needles or use dirty needles. When drugs are injected into the body, blood from the user is collected on the needle. When the needle is injected into another person's body, the infected blood is introduced into the new host, causing infection.

Pregnancy
Transmission of HIV/AIDS can also occur from mother to baby. Although the baby is usually protected from the virus as long as it is in the womb, exposure to the mother's blood during birth can cause the baby to become infected. In some cases, the mother may also expose her baby to the virus through breastfeeding.

AIDS SYMPTOMS
Coughing and shortness of breath Mental symptoms, such as confusion and forgetfulness Vision loss Fever Weight loss and extreme fatigue Severe headaches

HIV CANT BE ACQUIRED FROM

Hugging and kissing if there are no bleeding gems and broken skin. Handshakes, touching, swimming or bathing with an infected person, sharing utensils (cup, plate, spoon) with an infected person, toilet seats, using towels and clothes, sitting next to or sharing a bed with infected person.

Care for us and accept us we are all human beings. We are normal. We have hands. We have feet. We can walk, we can talk, dont be afraid of us we are all the same! Nkosi Johnson 13th International AIDS Conference

HIV/AIDS FOR MORE INFORMATION

UNAIDS www.unaids.org UNICEF www.unicef.org/aids Youth Advocate Program International www.yapi.org AIDS.org www.aids.org Center for Disease Control www.cdc.gov AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families www.aids-alliance.org Population Services International www.youthaids.org