// BEGIN editorial data var i = 0; var Health_AIDSfacts = new Array(); Health_AIDSfacts.ID = "Health_AIDSfacts"; Health_AIDSfacts.ID_WB = 5424946; Health_AIDSfacts.sPubDate = "11/21/2005 9:06:46 PM GMT"; Health_AIDSfacts.navsectionID = "3034455" Health_AIDSfacts.appFmt = 2; Health_AIDSfacts.itemsPerPage = 1; Health_AIDSfacts.appWidth = 460; Health_AIDSfacts.appHeader = "Fact file|HIV and AIDS"; Health_AIDSfacts.appFooter = "Sources: The Associated Press, CDC, NIH"; Health_AIDSfacts.appNavStyle = 3; Health_AIDSfacts.appLayout = 3; Health_AIDSfacts.copyHeight = 245; Health_AIDSfacts.copyWidth = 320; Health_AIDSfacts.copyMargin = 9; Health_AIDSfacts[i++] = new Array("","What is HIV/AIDS?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); Health_AIDSfacts[i-1].body = "
HIV, also known as human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that causes AIDS. A retrovirus, the disease spreads by copying its genetic information and taking over DNA in healthy white blood cells or T-cells.

AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, breaks down the immune system and prevents the body from fighting diseases. AIDS is clinically defined by a presence of HIV infection and a low level of white blood cells or T-cells. A normal adult has 500-1500 of these cells in every microliter of blood, but an AIDS patients has less than 200."; Health_AIDSfacts[i++] = new Array("","How is it treated?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); Health_AIDSfacts[i-1].body = "

  • A variety of drugs can suppress HIV either separately or, more commonly, in combination with one another.
  • The disease is chronic, meaning no available drug can cure it or eliminate it from the body.
  • Many people must take several types of drugs -- known as a \"cocktail\" -- requiring complicated, strictly-timed regimens every day.
  • The first two kinds of drugs to treat HIV block enzymes that the virus uses to survive. Enzymes act as catalysts, sort of like a key that unlocks a particular function.
  • The drugs that block the enzymes, or freeze the key, are: 1) Reverse transcriptase inhibitors -- they block the virus’ ability to copy itself and 2) Protease inhibitors -- they can stop the virus from producing infectious particles.
  • The newest class of HIV drugs are called \"fusion inhibitors.\" They stop the virus from fusing with and entering healthy cells."; Health_AIDSfacts[i++] = new Array("","How is it spread?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); Health_AIDSfacts[i-1].body = "
  • Unprotected sex with infected partner
    HIV can enter the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum or mouth during sex.
  • Contact with infected blood
    Because of blood screening and heat treatment, the risk of getting HIV from blood transfusions is extremely small.
  • Mother to child
    Women can transmit HIV to their babies during pregnancy, birth or through infected breast milk.
  • Sharing drug needles or syringes
    HIV can be transmitted through the tiny amounts of blood attached to a used needle."; Health_AIDSfacts[i++] = new Array("","What are the symptoms?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); Health_AIDSfacts[i-1].body = "
    Many people don't have symptoms when they're first infected with HIV. However, some people have a flu-like illness within a month or two after being exposed. This illness may include:
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Tiredness
    • Enlarged lymph nodes (glands of the immune system felt in the neck and groin)

    These symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for another viral infection. During this period, people are very infectious, and HIV is present in large quantities in genital fluids.

    More persistent or severe symptoms may not appear for 10 years or more after HIV first enters the body in adults, or within two years in children born with HIV infection. This period of \"asymptomatic\" infection is highly individual. Some people may begin to have symptoms within a few months, while others may be symptom-free for more than 10 years.

    More severe symptoms include:

    • Lack of energy
    • Weight loss
    • Frequent fevers and sweats
    • Persistent or frequent yeast infections (oral or vaginal)
    • Persistent skin rashes or flaky skin
    • Pelvic inflammatory disease in women that does not respond to treatment
    • Short-term memory loss

    "; Health_AIDSfacts[i++] = new Array("","Access and cost of treatment","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); Health_AIDSfacts[i-1].body = "
  • As of December 2003, only 7 percent of people in developing countries had access to treatment.
  • The price of treatment is dropping, depending on the location of the patient.
  • In early 2000, the price of triple-therapy treatment for one patient was $10,000-$12,000 a year. By early 2002, that price had dropped to as low as $300 per person per year, due to generic drug options and changes in pricing policies.
  • The United Nations AIDS office estimates that $12 billion will be needed for prevention and care by 2005. That estimate jumps to $20 billion by 2007."; // END editorial data