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Hiv Overview

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HIV / AIDS: An Overview
HCA 240
Axia College of University of Phoenix

HIV / AIDS: An Overview
The difference between HIV and Aid:
HIV is the virus that causes the disease AIDS. A person can be infected with HIV for many years before AIDS develops. Or even know that they are carrying the virus. Once an individual is infected with HIV the virus infects specific cells within your immune system. These cells are as helper T-Cells and CD4 Cells. CD4 cells and helper T-Cells are an important factor for the immune system by helping the body fight infections and disease. Once these cells become infected they start to break down the immune system. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus is known to infect our immune system and damage it severely over time. The HIV Virus never leaves the infected persons body, unlike other viruses like the common cold or the flu that leaves the body after a few days. The HIV Virus over time destroys white blood cells. AIDS stands for ACQUIRED Immuno – Deficiency Syndrome. CD4 (white blood cells) range 600 to 1200 in a person that isn’t infected with the HIV Virus. (health services) Once an infected person’s CD4 count drops as low as 200 the infected person will then be diagnosed with having AIDS.

The various ways HIV can be transmitted:
Transmission of HIV can occur when infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk enters the individual’s body. Unprotected sexual intercourse vaginal and anal are the riskiest sexual activities. Recent studies have shown a small number of reported cases of the HIV Virus being transmitted through oral sex. (aidssupport) The use of shared needles, unsterilized needles carries a high risk of HIV transmission. The transmission of the HIV Virus from an infected mother to her infant can occur during her pregnancy, childbirth, or even through breast feeding. The myth that one can

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