Disease Prevention Overview

Actions taken to identify and treat diseases in their early stages, aiming to prevent further development or complications. Examples include Pap smears, colonoscopies, and mammograms.

Actions taken to manage existing chronic diseases to prevent complications and deterioration. Examples include managing diabetes, rehabilitation after a heart attack, and preventing pressure sores in bedridden individuals.

A surveillance tool used to monitor the prevalence and impact of HIV/AIDS in countries with widespread epidemics. It provides data on the epidemic's status, behavior, and programs.

The first AIDS Indicator Survey conducted in Kenya, providing data for comparison with subsequent surveys.

The second AIDS Indicator Survey conducted in Kenya, building upon the earlier data and providing updated information on the HIV epidemic.

The findings from KAIS 2007 and KAIS 2012 were used to inform changes in HIV policies and practices in Kenya.

KAIS provides nationally representative information on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Kenya, including prevalence, behavior, and program information.

KAIS data guides responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, meets program reporting requirements, and ensures comparability of findings across countries.

A type of test used to confirm a positive result from an initial test. It should be different from the initial test.

A disease that spreads quickly among a specific population in a particular area.

Diseases that are common in a particular place or group of people.

The study and distribution of diseases in a population.

A virus that causes AIDS.

A virus closely related to HIV-1 that also causes AIDS.

Feeding an infant only breast milk from the mother or a wet nurse, or expressed breast milk.

A private, non-judgemental conversation between a person and their healthcare provider, especially related to HIV testing.

Also called venereal disease (VD) (an older public health term) or sexually transmitted infection (STI). STDs are infections spread by the transfer of organisms from person to person during sexual contact.

A group of symptoms as reported by the patient and signs as detected in an examination that together are characteristic of a specific condition.

Antibody-triggered immune cells that seek and attack invading microorganisms. Macrophages summon T4 cells to the infection site. There, the T4 cell reproduces and secretes potent chemicals that stimulate B cells to produce antibodies, signal natural killer or cytotoxic (cell-killing) T cells, and summon other macrophages to the infection site. In healthy immune systems, T4 cells are twice as common as T8 cells.

Patches in the mouth (sometimes painful) caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Thrush is one of the most frequent early symptoms or signs of an immune disorder. The fungus commonly lives in the mouth, but only causes problems when the body's resistance is reduced either by antibiotics that have reduced the number of competitive organisms in the mouth or by an immune deficiency such as HIV disease.

Transmission of a pathogen such as HIV from mother to fetus or baby during pregnancy or birth.

The amount of HIV in the circulating blood. Sicker patients generally have more virus than those with less advanced disease. A viral load test is used to monitor the HIV viral burden.

A substance that kills or suppresses a retrovirus, such as HIV.

Substances used to kill or stop the multiplication of retroviruses such as HIV.

Combination antiretroviral regimens that aggressively decrease HIV viral multiplication to halt the progress of HIV disease. The usual ART regimen combines three or more different drugs. These treatment regimens can reduce the amount of virus so that it becomes undetectable in a patient's blood.

A type of lymphocyte involved in protecting against viral, fungal, and protozoal infections. They are also known as T helper cells or simply T cells. HIV infects and destroys CD4 lymphocytes. Destruction of CD4+ lymphocytes is the major cause of the immunodeficiency observed in AIDS, and decreasing CD4 lymphocyte levels are the best indicator of someone's risk of developing opportunistic infections

A test that measures the number of CD4 lymphocytes in the blood, thus reflecting the state of the immune system. A normal count in a healthy adult is 600-1,200 cells/µL. When the CD4 count of an adult falls below 200 cells/µL, there is a high risk of opportunistic infection.

Community planning groups are responsible for developing HIV prevention, treatment, and care plans that are used in their communities. The goal of HIV community planning is to improve the effectiveness of HIV programs and to be certain that the needs of the community are being met.

Any fluid in the human body, such as blood, urine, saliva (spit), sputum, tears, semen, mother's milk, or vaginal secretions. Only blood, semen, mother's milk, and vaginal secretions have been linked directly to the transmission of HIV.

The study of how diseases spread and affect populations, including their causes, distribution, and control.

A person who carries infectious organisms but doesn't show symptoms.

The replication of organisms in a host's tissues, which can cause illness.

Actions that aim to prevent disease from starting, like vaccination or promoting healthy habits.

Actions taken to identify and treat a disease in its early stages, like screenings and early interventions.

The time between when a person is infected with HIV and when they develop detectable antibodies. This is the period when a person may test negative for HIV even though they are infected.

The number of new cases of a disease or condition occurring in a population during a specific period.

A laboratory test used to confirm the presence of HIV antibodies in a person's blood. It's usually performed after a positive ELISA test.

An AIDS-defining condition characterized by significant weight loss, diarrhea, chronic weakness, and fever, lasting at least 30 days. It's sometimes called 'slim disease.'

An individual gets counseled about HIV prevention and infection modes before deciding whether to get tested for HIV.

A measure of the number of cases of a disease or condition found in a population at a specific time.

An organism made up of genetic material (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein coat. Viruses need a living host cell to multiply.