The Distinction

HIV causes AIDS. HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that initially enters the host.
      AIDS-because of HIV, the host has a dperessed immune system making the host susceptible to "opportunistic infections", like infections, rare cancers, and Kaposi's sarcoma.

www.dictionary-reference.com/browse/AIDs?s=t

Some Facts

HIV

• The diameter equals 100-150 billionth of a meter.
• It has a spiked (72 exactly) membrane made up of gp120 and gp41 proteins.
• Underneath the membrane is the matrix, made up of p17.
• Within the matrix is the core or capsid. The core is bullet shaped and holds three enzymes important for HIV reproduction: reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. Two strands of RNA are also with in the core.

The How (to spread) and The How (to avoid)

HIV carriers cannot infect someone else by merely breathing the same air as someone else; there must be a transfer of bodily fluids (blood,semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk).
1. Unprotected Sex(vaginal/anal). Anal sex is the riskier out of the two because there is a liklier chance of scarring, falicitating transfer through blood.
2. Unprotected Oral Sex. Risks are higher after a cut or a sore in the mouth, recent toothbrushing, or canker sores.
3. Sharing Needles/Syringes. Unsanitary needles can house a virus for little more than a month. Getting tatttoos, piercings, or injecting drugs with an unsanitary needle makes it likely for infection.
4. Pregnancy, Child-birth, Breast-feeding. A mother with HIV can infect their chld through their plancenta to the fetus. The actual birthing process can cause scarring and ,therefore, make a gateway for the virus. Breast milk also holds the virus.


To avoid infection: Latex condoms with water-based lubricants are the best way to practice safe sex (besides abstinence). Lamb skin condoms and oil/petroleum based lubricants do not help.
If you must use someone else's needle, disenfect using bleach (this will reduce the risk a bit). Also, make certain your tattoo artist or piercer uses sterile equipmemt.

www.thebody.com/content/art32981.html

Infection and the Details

This video explains most of what you need to know about the science behind HIV. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDugpEny0Zo 

An "opportunistic infection" is an infection that specifically attacks when the immune system is down. It takes advantage of the "opportunity." www.aidshealth.org/learn-about-it.html T
hree examples would be TB, Kaposi's sarcoma, and rare cancers. http://www.avert.org/hiv-opportunistic-infections.htm

Word AIDS Day in London

Possible Treatment

There is not a cure YET for HIV. There are, however, treatments to supress the virus from growing. Sometimes, it is effective enough to allow the body time to reproduce a normal amount of T-Cells to strengthen the drepressed immune system.
One treatment is called Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). For this treatment, three or more drugs are taken daily. The drugs are different types so as not to allow the virus to get stronger and immune to the drugs. How well one does depends on their white blood cell count. Those with HIV tend to have a lower count (200 or less than per cubic mm).  Response to treatment also depends on a person's health. Dietary changes may be necessary.  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiv-aids/ds00005/dsection=treatments-and-drugs

Here is a chart of the different drugs used in ART and their prices from http://www.thebody.com/content/art42906.html.

Regimen		Cost/year
ddI		$2,100
d4T		$2,800
AZT + ddI		$5,540
AZT + 3TC		$5,610
AZT + ddC		$5,720
Saquinavir + Ritonavir		$8,220
Indinavir + AZT + 3TC		$9,930
Nevirapine + AZT + 3TC		$11,390
Saquinavir + Ritonavir + AZT		$11,620
Ritonavir + AZT + 3TC		$11,815

AIDs Timeline

1981  The first case of AIDs was detected in California. Three men were infected, two of them had died. All three were infected through MSM. Drug users were also found to have been infected due to needle injections.
1982  Haitians and haemophiliacs are infected in the US.
Europe has an epidemic beginning. The name "AIDs" was created. Organizations in the US and UK promote safe sex for gay men.
1983  AIDs is found to be infecting non-drug using women and children. Three thousand cases were reported; a thousand have died, all in the US.
1984  HIV has been found to be the cause of AIDs. Africa was discovered to be infected for a while.
1985  Blood is now run through a screening test to ensure safety. AIDs is officially worldwide.
1987  The first drug is approved for AIDs carriers: AZT. The UK and other countries begin educating their public of the epidemic.
1988  U.S. follows the other countries footsteps and begins a national AIDs awareness program. World's AIDs Day is established.
1993  AZT is useless for those in early stages of HIV infections.
1994  AZT is helpful to reduce mother-child transmission.
1995  UNAIDs established!
1996  New treatment started: Combination Antiretroviral Treatment.
1997  "Developed countries" are wealthy enough to buy drugs and treatment to reduce the amount infected and the mortality rate declines. Brazil is the first country to offfer free treatment.
2000  South Africa cries out for help treatment-wise.
2002  A global fund is produced to increase action in response to AIDS, malaria, and TB.
2003  The "3 by 5" campaign attempts to reach out and provide treatment for developing countries. The first HIV vaccine was tested and failed.
2004  PEPFAR was started this year by America to fight AIDs across the globe. South Africa decides to offer free antiretroviral treatment!
2006  Circumcision was tested and proven to reduce the risk of HIV infection for homosexual men.
2007  Another HIV vaccine failed its trial.
2009  President Obama removes the travel ban on HIV positive travellers wanting to come to the U.S.
2010  S. Korea, China, and Nambia follow the U.S. in removng their travel bans. After testing, the CAPRISA 004 micorbicide proves to reduce the risk of infection by forty percent. iPrEx testing proves to be effective in reducing the risk for MSM.

http://www.avert.org/aids-timeline.htm

Epidemiology, in the next 10 years

Much has been invested into the HIV/AIDs prevention efforts. Scientists predict that, if we continue with the same budget and same measures, there will be a negative effect due to a lack of funding. They predict that 38% more people will be living with AIDs in America. Imagine the comparable increase in Africa. 
More funding is the solution offered. However, whether funding should go to a cure or preventative measures is argued. http://www.avert.org/america.htm

This is a map of America and the scale of infection across the country.
highest

lowest