HIV/AIDS: Overview, Transmission, Prevention, and Treatment
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Questions and Answers

How does HIV weaken the body?

  • By damaging the digestive system
  • By attacking the immune system (correct)
  • By affecting the respiratory system
  • By targeting the nervous system

What is the consequence of untreated HIV infection?

  • It leads to diabetes
  • It causes heart disease
  • It progresses to AIDS (correct)
  • It results in liver failure

How is HIV primarily transmitted?

  • Casual physical contact
  • Sharing contaminated food
  • Sexual contact with an infected person (correct)
  • Airborne droplets

Which cells of the immune system are targeted by HIV?

<p>T-helper cells (CD4+) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the mode of transmission with the highest risk per contact?

<p>Mother to child transmission (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why may transmission rates of HIV differ between developed and developing countries?

<p>Access to prevention methods and healthcare quality (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one key intervention in preventing the spread of HIV mentioned in the text?

<p>Reducing needle use among drug users (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which medication can lower the risk of catching HIV, especially among high-risk individuals?

<p>Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of treatment for individuals with HIV?

<p>Managing the condition and reducing the risk of transmission (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in individuals already infected with HIV?

<p>Suppressing the viral load (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which population does HIV/AIDS disproportionately affect according to the text?

<p>Marginalized communities (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact does HIV/AIDS have on global health, as mentioned in the text?

<p>Causing loss of human capital and decreased economic productivity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases refer to illnesses that spread from person to person through contact with infected people, animals, food, water, or other vectors. These diseases can have serious consequences if not prevented or treated promptly. Here is some information on communicable diseases, specifically HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS Overview

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, attacks the immune system and weakens the body's ability to fight off common infections. If left untreated, it progresses to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), which leads to numerous opportunistic infections and cancer. HIV infection occurs when cells of the immune system called T-helper cells (CD4+) are killed by the virus, leaving the individual susceptible to various infections.

Transmission

HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person, sharing needles contaminated with infected blood, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. However, transmission rates vary depending on the mode of transmission:

Mode of Transmission Risk Per Contact
Sex without protection 0.06% - 0.12%
Sharing contaminated needles Up to 2.7%
Mother to child 15% - 30%
Occupational exposure 0.3%

Rates may differ between developed and developing countries based on access to prevention methods, treatment for co-infections, and overall healthcare quality.

Prevention

Preventing the spread of HIV involves several steps, including promoting safer sex practices, reducing needle use among drug users, and early diagnosis and treatment. Some key interventions include:

  • Education: Educating individuals on how HIV is spread and ways to prevent it can help reduce transmission rates.
  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): PrEP medications can lower the risk of catching HIV, especially among high-risk individuals.
  • Antiretroviral therapy (ART): ART can help suppress the viral load in those already infected, making them less likely to transmit HIV to others.
  • Vaccines: Although there is currently no vaccine to protect against HIV, ongoing efforts are being made to develop one.

Treatment

Since HIV does not have a cure, treatment focuses on managing the condition and reducing the risk of transmission. ART is used to slow the progression of the disease, reduce the viral load, and improve the quality of life for infected individuals.

Impact of HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS has had a significant impact on global health, causing orphanhood, loss of human capital, and decreased economic productivity. In 2020, there were approximately 38 million people living with HIV worldwide, with 1.5 million new infections and 680,000 deaths from the disease. The disease disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations, including women, children, and marginalized communities.

In conclusion, communicable diseases, specifically HIV/AIDS, pose a significant threat to global health. However, through education, prevention efforts, and access to treatment, it is possible to reduce the spread and impact of these diseases.

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Learn about HIV/AIDS, including how the virus attacks the immune system, modes of transmission, prevention methods such as education and antiretroviral therapy, and the impact of the disease on global health.

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