The Human Immunodeficiency VirusEssay Preview: The Human Immunodeficiency VirusReport this essayThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a type of retrovirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV attacks the bodys immune system, leaving it unable to fight off infections and disease (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2007).
HIV transmissionHIV can be spread through contact with an infected persons body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, or blood, including menstrual blood (AIDS Vancouver, 2005). The most common modes of transmission are unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse, sharing of needles, or during pregnancy and birth. HIV can also be spread during oral sex, or by sharing sex toys, razors, or tooth brushes. Individuals who engage in anal sex are at increased risk of HIV transmission because the anus and rectum tear more easily than the vaginal lining (AIDS Vancouver, 2005). Saliva, urine, and tears cannot transmit the virus unless they are mixed with blood (Health Canada, 2003). According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, “You can only get HIV by having the virus enter your blood stream” (2007, p.24). Therefore, activities such as cuddling and sharing toilet seats will not spread the infection.
HIV: The Virus or Immune System
HIV is an AIDS-like disease and cannot be transmitted from person To Person. By sharing food or water contaminated with a virus, you are transmitting STIs (sexually transmitted organisms) as well as HIV.
HIV in people has only a minor role in determining the risks of HIV infection to person. However, with infected people and infectious disease viruses such as H. pylori, H. enterobacter, and H. typhimurium (infected persons) spread, more likely people will experience infection with the virus as children and for most people, people who are infected with the virus for a period of time will have a higher risk of a sexually transmitted disease (SEVD). The risk can go up to 6 months for a person who is HIV positive and up to 16 years for people who are HIV positive with a high risk of the virus. Those with high risk of a SEVD will have a higher rate of contracting HIV in their family than they would with a normal person. The higher risk of a sexually transmitted disease from a positive HIV test may include multiple infections with the same virus.
HIV is not a serious illness. People suffering from a SEVD will always transmit a high level of HIV virus during their lifetime (see section “Prevention of HIV infection”) and often will not stop to seek care because the virus has spread. A number of people will die from AIDS after STIs have been inserted in their saliva, blood and urine. People infected with HIV have had high rates of bleeding from their throats and even those infected with AIDS and with Hepatitis B virus have had very high rates of bleeding from their hearts.
The greatest risk for someone who has HIV in their family is to have a close family member with HIV. The risk can range from 4% to 25% for families with close family members. In HIV-negative people, the higher the risk, the less likely their family member will be to take care of their family member. Similarly, patients who have the virus in their blood can experience low levels of blood clotting and a reduced ability to get through their tissues, while those who have the virus in their body can absorb it in their bloodstream.
HIV infections can affect your immune system. For many people infected with HIV, you will have an increased likelihood of getting the virus and therefore risk getting HIV. However, if you have severe infection, it is likely for several years if everything goes well and you are okay.
HIV virus and AIDS
HIV virus (HIV-1) causes HIV-1 to develop in your bloodstream. HIV-1 is a viral type of HIV, a type of AIDS-like syndrome that affects individuals of all ages and nationalities. The transmission of the infection occurs through the blood body or the saliva. It is spread through infected blood. When infected with HIV, virus particles (bacteria, viral particles, or viral proteins) or saliva run through the bloodstream; the virus gets trapped in the blood body or is passed by saliva. This is known as infection of the blood. Infection of other people may lead to HIV transmission as well.
The virus enters blood and your immune system responds to all of the symptoms such as a red blood cell, red blood cell failure, increased blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypertension, high fever, urination, or other health-related problems like high blood pressure that result from the virus infection. The body’s natural defenses against infection are built up as you move through the environment
HIV: The Virus or Immune System
HIV is an AIDS-like disease and cannot be transmitted from person To Person. By sharing food or water contaminated with a virus, you are transmitting STIs (sexually transmitted organisms) as well as HIV.
HIV in people has only a minor role in determining the risks of HIV infection to person. However, with infected people and infectious disease viruses such as H. pylori, H. enterobacter, and H. typhimurium (infected persons) spread, more likely people will experience infection with the virus as children and for most people, people who are infected with the virus for a period of time will have a higher risk of a sexually transmitted disease (SEVD). The risk can go up to 6 months for a person who is HIV positive and up to 16 years for people who are HIV positive with a high risk of the virus. Those with high risk of a SEVD will have a higher rate of contracting HIV in their family than they would with a normal person. The higher risk of a sexually transmitted disease from a positive HIV test may include multiple infections with the same virus.
HIV is not a serious illness. People suffering from a SEVD will always transmit a high level of HIV virus during their lifetime (see section “Prevention of HIV infection”) and often will not stop to seek care because the virus has spread. A number of people will die from AIDS after STIs have been inserted in their saliva, blood and urine. People infected with HIV have had high rates of bleeding from their throats and even those infected with AIDS and with Hepatitis B virus have had very high rates of bleeding from their hearts.
The greatest risk for someone who has HIV in their family is to have a close family member with HIV. The risk can range from 4% to 25% for families with close family members. In HIV-negative people, the higher the risk, the less likely their family member will be to take care of their family member. Similarly, patients who have the virus in their blood can experience low levels of blood clotting and a reduced ability to get through their tissues, while those who have the virus in their body can absorb it in their bloodstream.
HIV infections can affect your immune system. For many people infected with HIV, you will have an increased likelihood of getting the virus and therefore risk getting HIV. However, if you have severe infection, it is likely for several years if everything goes well and you are okay.
HIV virus and AIDS
HIV virus (HIV-1) causes HIV-1 to develop in your bloodstream. HIV-1 is a viral type of HIV, a type of AIDS-like syndrome that affects individuals of all ages and nationalities. The transmission of the infection occurs through the blood body or the saliva. It is spread through infected blood. When infected with HIV, virus particles (bacteria, viral particles, or viral proteins) or saliva run through the bloodstream; the virus gets trapped in the blood body or is passed by saliva. This is known as infection of the blood. Infection of other people may lead to HIV transmission as well.
The virus enters blood and your immune system responds to all of the symptoms such as a red blood cell, red blood cell failure, increased blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypertension, high fever, urination, or other health-related problems like high blood pressure that result from the virus infection. The body’s natural defenses against infection are built up as you move through the environment
HIV prevalence in CanadaAccording to Offer, Grinstead, Goldstein, Mamary, Alvarado, Euren, and Woods (2007), those individuals most at risk in Canada are homosexual males, intravenous (IV) drug users, and individuals who have unprotected sex. The Testing and Referral American Family Physician Journal (2004) stated those with current sexually transmitted infections (STI) have a higher likelihood of acquiring HIV. Not only are these individuals engaging in high risk sexual activity, but inflammatory STIs, such as gonorrhea, can break down genital tissue barriers increasing the receptor sites availability to the HIV virus (Gallant). Ball and Bindler affirmed “the adolescent who acquires an STI has a 40% chance of acquiring another STI within a year, especially if gonorrhea is the first infection” (2006, p.1227)
In 2005, 60 160 Canadians tested positive for HIV. Of those 45 690 were male. This statistic does not include the 20 353 people diagnosed with AIDS (AIDS Vancouver, 2005). This number only represents the people who chose to be tested. There are many people who do not get tested, partly because they feel they are not part of the high-risk population.
Studies indicate that most people who learn they are infected take steps to protect their partners; unfortunately, people who are unaware of their infection account for 50-70% of new sexually transmitted infections (Hellwig, 2007).
The number of HIV and AIDS related deaths totaled 13 293 in 2005 (AIDS Vancouver, 2005).HIV TestingThere are three main types of HIV tests: the HIV antibody test, the antigen test, and the Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (PCR). The standard test is the HIV antibody test, also known as ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test. Once the HIV virus enters the body, the immune response starts to form antibodies. It can take between six weeks and six months for detectable numbers of antibodies to be in ones system. This time is referred to as the “window period” (AIDS Vancouver, 2005). Therefore, it is imperative to be tested again six months after the initial testing. A person is confirmed to be HIV negative only after the second test returns negative. It is important to understand that unsafe sex or IV drug use between testing times will nullify prior results (AVERTing HIV and AIDS, 2008).
In Lethbridge, the sexual health clinic, or any physician, can give you a requisition for blood work to be carried out at any clinic. All blood samples are sent to Calgary for processing. The results are available in two weeks (J.I. personal communication, February 5, 2008). If tests return positive, the individual will receive a phone call and be required to make an appointment with a physician. At the time of the appointment, results will be given in person–absolutely no positive HIV results are revealed over the phone (Gallant, 2004). Alberta health is notified of all positive results.
Risk ReductionSafe SexThe Pubic Health Agency of Canada (2007) advocated “condoms used consistently and correctly provide protection against getting or spreading STIs including HIV” (McKay, p.57). Condoms provide a wall barrier against the spread of vaginal fluid, semen, blood, bacteria, and viruses. United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention declared that “using a latex condom was estimated to reduce exposure to HIV by at least 10 000 times compared to not using a condom” (Mckay, p.57). However, condoms are only proven effective if they have not expired, if they are applied and fit correctly, and if they stay intact throughout intercourse (Alberta Health, 2006).
Individuals with knowledge are empowered to make educated choices. By limiting the number of sexual partners and knowing each partners sexual history, the rate of HIV transmission can be reduced. Regular testing, particularly before sexual contact with a new partner, is another important factor in risk reduction. Additionally, sexual intercourse while under the influence of alcohol or drugs inhibits ones ability to make wise choices and should be avoided. “Alcohol use was significantly associated with inconsistent condom use and multiple sexual partners in both sexes” (Zablotska, Gray, Serwadda, Nalugoda, Kigozi, Sewankambo, Lutalo, Mangen, Wawer, & 2006).
Other Preventative MeasuresBecause HIV is found in body fluids, there are many factors to consider when making safer decisions that decrease the spread of infections. Additional ways to reduce the risk of transmission include: 1) Abstinence. 2) Using new or clean IV needles every time. No sharing. 3) Getting educated and asking for guidance and support (health clinics, internet, hotlines, etc.). 4) Using reputable tattoo and piercing businesses. 5) Avoid sharing toothbrushes, razors or sex toys (Calgary Regional Health, 2004).
Partner NotificationPartner notification is implemented to “reduce the spread of disease and prevent late complications” (Alberta Health and Wellness, 2003). The health professional will collect any information about sexual partners within the past six months. Although it is an option for the person to make contact on their own, many find this process difficult (Alberta Health and Wellness, 2003). Partners are contacted, notified of their potential exposure, and referred to appropriate