🔑 Key Definitions
HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus - attacks immune system
AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - advanced HIV stage
CD4 Cells: Immune cells that HIV attacks (T-helper cells)
Viral Load: Amount of HIV in blood
ART/HAART: Antiretroviral Therapy - medications to control HIV
AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - advanced HIV stage
CD4 Cells: Immune cells that HIV attacks (T-helper cells)
Viral Load: Amount of HIV in blood
ART/HAART: Antiretroviral Therapy - medications to control HIV
🧠 HIV Transmission Routes
- Sexual contact: Unprotected intercourse
- Blood-to-blood: Sharing needles, transfusions
- Mother-to-child: During pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding
- NOT transmitted by: Casual contact, hugging, sharing food, mosquitoes
📊 Stages of HIV Infection
- Stage 1 - Acute HIV: Flu-like symptoms, high viral load
- Stage 2 - Clinical Latency: Few/no symptoms, virus still active
- Stage 3 - AIDS: CD4 < 200, opportunistic infections
🛠 Psychosocial Issues in HIV/AIDS
- Stigma and discrimination
- Depression and anxiety
- Disclosure decisions
- Treatment adherence challenges
- Social isolation
- Fear of death
💡 Exam Tips
- HIV = Virus; AIDS = Syndrome (end-stage of HIV)
- HIV attacks CD4/T-helper cells (immune system)
- AIDS diagnosis: CD4 count below 200
- ART has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition
- Stigma remains a MAJOR barrier to testing and treatment
- Prevention includes condoms, clean needles, PrEP, testing