Fight HIV

You Can Make a Difference
in the Fight Against HIV

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. An HIV-infected person receives a diagnosis of AIDS after developing one of the CDC-defined AIDS indicator illnesses. An HIV-positive person who has not had any serious illnesses also can receive an AIDS diagnosis on the basis of certain blood tests (CD4+ counts).
Infection with HIV can weaken the immune system to the point that it has difficulty fighting off certain infections. These types of infections are known as "opportunistic" infections because they take the opportunity a weakened immune system gives to cause illness.
Many of the infections that cause problems or may be life-threatening for people with AIDS are usually controlled by a healthy immune system. The immune system of a person with AIDS is weakened to the point that medical intervention may be necessary to prevent or treat serious illness.
Today there are medical treatments that can slow down the rate at which HIV weakens the immune system. There are other treatments that can prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS. As with other diseases, early detection offers more options for treatment and preventative care.

AIDS Indicator Conditions
Candidiasis, of esophagus, trachea, bronchi or lungs
Cervical cancer, invasive*
Coccidioidomycosis, extrapulmonary*
Cryptococcosis, extrapulmonary
Cryptosporidiosis with diarrhea greater than 1 month
Cytomegalovirus of any organ other than liver, spleen, or lymph nodes
Herpes simplex with mucocutaneous ulcer greater than 1 month or bronchitis, pneumonitis, esophagitis
Histoplasmosis, extrapulmonary*
HIV-associated dementia: disabling cognitive and/or motor dysfunction
interfering with activities of daily living*
HIV-associated wasting: involuntary weight loss > 10% of baseline plus chronic diarrhea (2 loose stools/day for 30 days) or chronic weakness and documented enigmatic fever for 30 days*
Isosporiasis with diarrhea greater than 1 month*
Kaposi's sarcoma in patient younger than 60 years (or older than 60 years*)
Lymphoma of brain in patient younger than 60 years (or older than 60 years*)
Lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's of B-cell or unknown immunologic phenotype and histology showing small, noncleaved lymphoma or immunoblastic sarcoma
Mycobacterium avium complex or M kansasii, disseminated
Tuberculosis*
Nocardiosis*
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
Pneumonia, recurrent-bacterial (>/= 2 episodes in 12 months)*
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Salmonella septicemia (nontyphoid), recurrent*
Strongyloidiasis, extraintestinal
Toxoplasmosis of internal organ
* Requires positive HIV serology

Stigma and discrimination are the major obstacles to effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Fear of discrimination may prevent people from seeking treatment for AIDS or from acknowledging their HIV status publicly.....Only by confronting stigma and discrimination will the fight against HIV/AIDS be won [UNAIDS].

World Overview

Antiretroviral Agents

Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy

Perinatal Prophylaxis

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis PEP

Non-Occupational PEP

Occupational PEP

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