Epidemiology HIV Paper
Paola A Torres
Grand Canyon University: NRS- 427V
12/14/2014
HIV COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is defined by the Mayo Clinic as "A chronic, potentially life-threatening condition which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV damages the immune system, and interferes with the ability the body has to fight the disease causing organism" (Mayo Clinic, 2014). HIV is an infection transmitted sexually. Another mode of transmission for HIV is by exposure to infected blood, or it could also be transmitted from the mother to the unborn child during the course of pregnancy, at childbirth or through breastfeeding. It may take several years for the HIV virus to weaken the immune system enough that the patient will develop AIDS (Mayo Clinic, 2014). The symptoms of HIV vary, depending on which phase of infection is in. The majority of the population who is infected with HIV usually presents flu-like symptoms approximately 1-2 months after contracting the virus. Possible signs and symptoms include: sore throat, rash, chills, diarrhea, headache, fever, muscle aches, ulcers in the mouth or genitals, pain in the joints, swollen lymph glands, and night sweats. Clinical latent infection usually can last anywhere from 8-10 years. It is possible for some people to remain in this stage even longer than 10 years. Some other people may progress to a more serious stage sooner than this time frame. In order to become infected with HIV, body fluids or secretions such as semen, blood, or vaginal secretions need to enter the body. Vaginal, oral, or anal sex with a person infected is also means of transmission for this virus. Rectal or vaginal tears, and mouth sores are also ways the virus can enter the body. HIV can also be transmitted from blood transfusions, by sharing contaminated needles and syringes, and during pregnancy, delivery of the baby or through breastfeeding. The mother can significantly reduce the chances of her
Grand Canyon University: NRS- 427V
12/14/2014
HIV COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is defined by the Mayo Clinic as "A chronic, potentially life-threatening condition which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV damages the immune system, and interferes with the ability the body has to fight the disease causing organism" (Mayo Clinic, 2014). HIV is an infection transmitted sexually. Another mode of transmission for HIV is by exposure to infected blood, or it could also be transmitted from the mother to the unborn child during the course of pregnancy, at childbirth or through breastfeeding. It may take several years for the HIV virus to weaken the immune system enough that the patient will develop AIDS (Mayo Clinic, 2014). The symptoms of HIV vary, depending on which phase of infection is in. The majority of the population who is infected with HIV usually presents flu-like symptoms approximately 1-2 months after contracting the virus. Possible signs and symptoms include: sore throat, rash, chills, diarrhea, headache, fever, muscle aches, ulcers in the mouth or genitals, pain in the joints, swollen lymph glands, and night sweats. Clinical latent infection usually can last anywhere from 8-10 years. It is possible for some people to remain in this stage even longer than 10 years. Some other people may progress to a more serious stage sooner than this time frame. In order to become infected with HIV, body fluids or secretions such as semen, blood, or vaginal secretions need to enter the body. Vaginal, oral, or anal sex with a person infected is also means of transmission for this virus. Rectal or vaginal tears, and mouth sores are also ways the virus can enter the body. HIV can also be transmitted from blood transfusions, by sharing contaminated needles and syringes, and during pregnancy, delivery of the baby or through breastfeeding. The mother can significantly reduce the chances of her
References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014, November 25). CDC – HIV in the United States – Statistics Overview – Statistics Center – HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/statistics/basics/ataglance.html CHLA. (2012). HIV Prevention at the Structural Level. The Role of Social Determinants of Health & HIV. Retrieved from http://www.chla.org CSDH. (2008) Closing the gap in a generation: Health Equity Through Action on the Social Determinants of Health. Final Report of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Geneva: World Health Organization International Partnership for Microbicides. (2011). How HIV Infects a Cell. Retrieved from http://www.ipmglobal.org/how-hiv-infects-cell Mayo Clinic. (2014, May 20). HIV/AIDS Treatments and drugs - Diseases and Conditions. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org Meadows, P. (2009). Community Health Nursing. American Journal of Nursing, 109, 19. Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com The Aids Institute. (2011). the Aids Institute. Retrieved from http://www.theaidsinstitute.org