Epidemiology Paper
1
Epidemiology: HIV
Nicole McDanell
Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V Concepts in Community and Public Health
September 28, 2014
Epidemiology: HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that only affects humans, HIV weakens your immune system by destroying the cells that fight and kill disease and infections. HIV reproduces by taking over cells in the host’s body and multiplying, with most viruses over time the immune system can rid the body of the present virus, with HIV the immune system is incapable of doing this, therefore it is a virus that will always be present once infected. HIV is spread through bodily fluids such as blood, seamen, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. In order for HIV to be transmitted via bodily fluids it “must come into contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into your bloodstream (by a needle or syringe) for transmission to possibly occur.” (What is HIV/AIDS? 2014) Mucous membranes is the soft moist tissues around areas that openings to the body, such as the mouth, opening of the rectum, vaginal cavity, and opening of the penis. The most common way HIV is transmitted is through unprotected sex with anal sex being the highest sexual risk. Other means of transmission is blood infusions, IV drug use, needle sticks (mainly a risk for health care workers), transmission from mother to infant, or direct contact with broken skin. There has been many myths on how HIV can be transmitted, it is important to know facts versus myths. Some common myths on transmission are HIV can be transmitted via touching, saliva, tears, sweat, air, water, and toilet seats. Once the virus is outside the body it doesn’t survive for long. HIV weakens your immune system making infection the largest complication of the virus. The most common infections are tuberculosis, Salmonellosis, which is why all food needs to be clean thoroughly and cooked well, individuals infected with HIV
Epidemiology: HIV
Nicole McDanell
Grand Canyon University: NRS-427V Concepts in Community and Public Health
September 28, 2014
Epidemiology: HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that only affects humans, HIV weakens your immune system by destroying the cells that fight and kill disease and infections. HIV reproduces by taking over cells in the host’s body and multiplying, with most viruses over time the immune system can rid the body of the present virus, with HIV the immune system is incapable of doing this, therefore it is a virus that will always be present once infected. HIV is spread through bodily fluids such as blood, seamen, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. In order for HIV to be transmitted via bodily fluids it “must come into contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into your bloodstream (by a needle or syringe) for transmission to possibly occur.” (What is HIV/AIDS? 2014) Mucous membranes is the soft moist tissues around areas that openings to the body, such as the mouth, opening of the rectum, vaginal cavity, and opening of the penis. The most common way HIV is transmitted is through unprotected sex with anal sex being the highest sexual risk. Other means of transmission is blood infusions, IV drug use, needle sticks (mainly a risk for health care workers), transmission from mother to infant, or direct contact with broken skin. There has been many myths on how HIV can be transmitted, it is important to know facts versus myths. Some common myths on transmission are HIV can be transmitted via touching, saliva, tears, sweat, air, water, and toilet seats. Once the virus is outside the body it doesn’t survive for long. HIV weakens your immune system making infection the largest complication of the virus. The most common infections are tuberculosis, Salmonellosis, which is why all food needs to be clean thoroughly and cooked well, individuals infected with HIV
References: What is HIV/AIDS? (2014). Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/ HIV/AIDS. (2014). Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hivaids/basics/complications/con- 20013732 HIV in the United States. (2013, December 3). Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/statistics/basics/ataglance.html HIV Treatment Extends Life Expectancy « Science-Based Medicine. (2013, January 1). Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/hiv-treatment-extends-life- expectancy/