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HIV/AIDS Page 1



Transmission and Prevention



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Fluids That Transmit HIV

Fluids That Transmit and Do Not Transmit HIV



Table 1: Equation for Transmission


Table 2: Risk of HIV Transmission Associated With Sexual Practices (Table from Grimes and Grimes [1994])

(NOTE: Persons under eighteen may prefer to view this table with a cool parent or guardian!)

Kids' Version of Table 2 Information


Barriers to Transmission and Virus Transmission



Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Other Diseases Linked to HIV

Having a sexually transmitted disease or another infection of the genital area and reproductive organs can increase your risk of contracting HIV! The sores and lesions in the mucosal linings of the reproductive area that are left by a yeast or bacterial infection provide an easy pathway into the blood stream. In addition, any sickness weakens you and lowers your resistance to new illnesses.

Yeast or Fungal Infections
Yeast--these infections are common, especially in women
Bacterial Infections
Bacterial infections that infect the genital area and reproductive track include: Vaginitis (often a flare-up or the body's own fauna and flora; also transmitted from person-to-person); Staph infections (which can be water-born or transmitted from person to person); Chlamydia ; Gonorrhea ; and Syphilis
Viral Infections
One of the most common bacterial infections to infect the genital area and reproductive tract is Herpes Simplex ; another is Human Papillomavirus


HIV versus AIDS



A Definition

HIV

HIV stands for the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus.
It's

Human, because it infects humans;

Immuno-deficiency,because it's associated with impaired immune function (AIDS--acquired immune deficiency syndrome), that is, impaired ability to fight infection--though it's possible for someone to be infected with HIV for years and still have a good immune system

Virus, because it is a virus.

For more about viruses, see Microbe World's Viruses


AIDS

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
It's

Acquired, through infection with the virus; AIDS cannot be transmitted directly, so you cannot catch AIDS from a person, only HIV; being infected with HIV often leads to AIDS

and an Immune Deficiency Syndrome, because it is the name for impaired immune function, that is, people with AIDS have trouble fighting off infections that most people fight off with no problem! For this reason, it's especially important for persons with AIDS to practice safe sex!


Progression from HIV infection to actual AIDS varies not only with a person's overall health and resistance to diseases, but also with the way the person contracted the human immunodeficiency virus, according to Robert S. Root-Bernstein (1995), Myth One of Five Myths About AIDS That Have Misdirected Research and Treatment. A person who contracts HIV through a blood transfusion may progress very rapidly to AIDS, according to Root-Bernstein's graph.

The graph below shows the percent of people still without AIDS after a given time period according to studies by Weiss (1993) and Root-Bernstein (1995).

  • Pediatric patients in Root-Bernstein's study are indicated by solid triangles;

  • Transplant patients in Root-Bernstein's study are indicated by solid diamonds;

  • Blood-transfusion recipients are indicated by solid upside-down triangles;

  • HIV+ homosexuals and hemophiliacs over 25 are indicated by box outlines;

  • Circle outlines indicate hemophiliacs under age 25 in Weiss's study

  • Solid circles indicate hemophiliacs under age 25 in Root-Bernstein's study;

  • Outlines of upside-down triangles indicate HIV negative persons.
Root-Bernstein's Study Data
Root-Bernstein's graph showing the time to AIDS for different methods of HIV infection


Some Common Opportunistic Infections Associated With AIDS

AIDS Wasting

Wasting is the SINGLE FACTOR most associated with disease progression and death in HIV/AIDS! Clinically defined as the loss of more than 10 percent of one's body weight accompanied by more than 30 days of either diarrhea, weakness, or fever; losing as little as 5 percent of one's body weight can have the same effect! More important than weight loss is the loss of 'lean tissue.' Here's brief information about how to combat wasting.


Yeast or Fungal Infections

Like bacteria, yeasts or fungi feed on organic materials and reproduce in their active states; both fungi and bacteria can also go into a 'sporous' state where they retreat into a spore or shell and become inactive.

Yeasts and fungi live naturally in the body. Infection can be caused by an imbalance within the body--due to fatigue, general ill health, or poor hygiene. Yeast and fungal infections can also be transmitted from person to person, or sometimes in swimming pools. And, of course, wet paint and household adhesives are breeding grounds for some kinds of fungi which, though they may not cause a yeast infection, can interfere with your breathing! (Make sure air filters on air conditioning and heating are regularly cleaned; if molds and dampness are a problem, you might consider having your home's indoor air quality checked; also air ionizers can be used where you are working or sleeping to reduce dust and microbes in the air you breathe.) Check out treatment!

For more about fungi, see Microbe World's Fungi


Protozoal Infections

Protozoa and other larger microbes (amoeba and worms) are classified as parasites. Because these are larger than bacteria, the protozoa are generally more complex. Protozoa are similar to amoeba, one step from a worm. SURPRISE: the macrophages and monocytes, cells that help form part of the body's immune response,are amoeba-like cells in the body. Every living organism has its own amoeba-like cells.
Cryptosporidiodis

Cryptosporidiosis causes intestinal infections and diarrhea, especially profuse, watery diarrhea. This protozoa is found in the manure of cows stabled together. It can also live in water supplies, has a protein in it that acts as a pump to pump out toxic substances, and so is increasingly resistant to the chlorine used to treat drinking water. As a result, it is often transmitted by drinking water. (Drink distilled water! Or drink hot drinks made with boiled water!) Cryptosporidiosis can also be transmitted sexually, particularly by oral-anal sex. Read more about preventing and treating cryptosporidiosis!
Toxoplasmis Gondi

Toxoplasmis Gondi is an intestinal infection. Toxoplasmis can also infect the nervous system and brain. It is usually transmitted by eating undercooked meat. Some cats carry toxoplasmis from time to time, and toxoplasmis can also be transmitted by improper handling of cat feces. (Use gloves when changing litter! Or test your cat for toxo, and, if negative, keep your cat from hunting and also keep him/her away from other cats!)
PCP, or Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

This is one of the first infections related to AIDS that was discovered! Its symptoms include a deep, dry cough, and night sweats.

Bacterial Infections

The body has its own bacteria in it, including bacteria in the intestines that help in the digestion of food. Even more dangerous bacteria, such as the tuberculosis bacteria,can inhabit the body harmlessly. Bacterial infections result from an imbalance in the body--due to fatigue or general ill health. Bacterial infections can also be transmitted from person to person.

For more about bacteria, see Microbe World's Bacteria

Streptococcal Pneumonia

Transmitted by air on microscopic drops of moisture from the breath. Good news: there's a vaccine!
Tuberculosis

Transmitted by air on microscopic drops of moisture from the breath. Infects the lungs or other organs. Symptoms include night sweats, fever, and fatigue.
Mycobacterium Avium Complex

A type of tuberculosis that normally infects chickens. Symptoms include night sweats, fever, and fatigue.
Chlamydia

Usually transmitted sexually. Chlamydia is the most common sexually-transmitted bacterial infection today. Chlamydia causes inflammation and sometimes discolored discharge.
Gonorrhea

Another very common sexually-transmitted bacterial infection, with symptoms similar to those of chlamydia. Gonorrhea was described in medical treatises prior to the first century A.D.
Syphilis

Syphilis is caused by a rickettsial bacterium. It causes a recurrent rash and infects the joints. It can also infect the central nervous system. Learn about its treatment, past and present.

Viral Infections

Viruses have two forms, a crystal 'non-living' form, which the virus takes when it is not active--all viruses in this form have a crystal structure; and a living form,in which the virus uses the proteins and cellular machinery of a living organism to reproduce its genomes. All viruses have genomes composed of nucleic acids (either DNA or RNA), and an outer shell. Some viruses also have an 'envelope,' a loose membrane covering the virus.

Read more about viruses at Microbe World Viruses

CMV or Cytomegalovirus

Infects the eyes and sometimes the lungs
Hepatitis C

Many people are co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C infects the liver, causing jaundice and flue-like symptoms that may or may not progress to liver cancer and permanent liver damage. Alcohol use worsens the chance of liver damage. Hepatitis C infects 1 out of 10,000 people, but a much larger percentage of injecting drug users. People with elevated liver functions who test negative for Hepatitis A and B might have Hepatitis C. Treatment is limited, but there are some options!
Herpes or Shingles

The are two types of Herpes,
(1), Herpes Simplex,
which infects the genitals and lips with painful ulcerous sores at the nerve endings--it is transmitted primarily sexually or by skin-to skin contact;
(2) Herpes Zoster,
which often infects the lower legs and ankles, again causing painful blisters at the nerve endings--Herpes Zoster is a reactivation of the Chicken Pox virus, a virus which usually inhabits people harmlessly after usually only a brief infection. And--good news for people who do not have HIV yet--there is a vaccination to prevent chicken pox: Chicken Pox Vaccination Information, courtesey of Arlington-on-line.net!
Prevention and Treatment for Herpes
Herpes Simplex can be prevented. Both kinds of Herpes can be controlled through treatment.
Human Papillomavirus

Human Papillomavirus causes genital warts and is linked to cervical cancer.
KS or Kaposi's Sarcoma
Kaposi's sarcoma is a cancer characterized by purplish, brown, red, or pink lesions or 'splotchy' areas on the skin. It can also infect the lungs, where it is dangerous. Kaposi's sarcoma normally occurs in older men, and in persons with immune disorders. It is transmitted sexually, and can infect people with healthy immune systems too. It's most often transmitted by men, and it infects men more often then women. For more information, see Catie of Canada's Fact Sheet on Kaposi's Sarcoma (June 30, 1999). Or learn a little about treatment here!



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This page has been created by C. E. Whitehead

July, 2001; last updated April, 2002


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