HIV & AIDS

HIV is a disease that affects the immune system. In a healthy person, the immune system produces T-Cells to fight off viruses and bacteria.  HIV block production of T-cells.  When people with HIV cannot produce enough T-Cells to fight anymore, they are said to have AIDS.

A FEW TERMS TO KNOW:

AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome) - The late stage of HIV disease. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when his T cell count is below 200, or he has experienced certain opportunistic infections.

IMMUNE DEFICIENCY -  A disorder in which the body's immune system is unable to protect against infectious diseases.

OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION (OI) - An infection that occurs in a person with a weak immune system.

PROPHYLAXIS - Treats an infection before it occurs.

RESISTANCE - The ability of the HIV virus to change and resist the ability of some drugs to work against it.

T CELLS - A type of immune system cell that fights certain infections. These cells are the primary target of the HIV virus. How well the immune system is functioning can be determined by counting the number of T cells in the blood.

VIRAL LOAD - A blood test that counts the amount of HIV virus in the blood. A higher viral load indicates that there is more virus in the person’s blood and the person is sicker.

HOW CAN YOU HELP SOMEONE WITH AN HIV OR AIDS DIAGNOSIS?

• Having AIDS can make a person scared, angry, sad, lonely or frustrated.  Be available to listen if your client wants to talk about his feelings.
• Treat your clients with HIV/AIDS with respect.  Don’t ask them how they caught the disease - it’s no one’s business, and it doesn’t matter.  What matters is how they deal with the disease.
• Don’t be afraid to touch HIV positive people. There’s no chance of catching the virus from hugging or shaking hands.
• Taking medications exactly as prescribed is critical.  If you aren’t sure about when and how your clients are supposed to take their medications, ask your supervisor.
• Help your clients with HIV/AIDS eat a nutritious diet. They need to eat plenty of protein and starches.
• Keep sick people away from the client with HIV.  Make sure everyone washes their hands before cooking or eating and after going to the bathroom.  Simple, common germs be very dangerous for people with HIV.