what does the HIV / AIDS virus infect | T lymphocite cells of the immune system. |
what can a person with HIV experience | not show any symptoms but can act as a carrier , not knowing they can transmit the virus |
main modes of transmission of HIV | sexual contact, mainly sexual intercause, where semen or vaginal fluid containtg the virus is transmitted
when drug abusers share a hypodermic needle
mother to child transmissions (across the placeneta, during birth, in breast milk) |
what is antiretroviral therapy | it involves taking a combinatiion of drugs, each of which has a different action against the virus, so the patient hasa minimal risk of transmitting the virus
succesful in reducing mother tochild transmissions during birth, reducing the number of peop[le living with HIV to go on to develop AIDS, increasing the chance that a person living with HIV can live a normal lifespan, reducing number of deaths from HIV / AIDS |
measures to control the spread of AIDS / HIV | screening of blood from donors, HIV testing for individuals at particular risk, using condoms |