|
Resource Center
What is HIV/AIDS?
AIDS (Aquired Immunodeficieny Syndrome) is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Being infected with HIV does not necessarily mean you have AIDS. It can take years for AIDS to develop in an HIV-infected person.
HIV progressively destroys the body’s ability to fight off infections. HIV damages cells that are essential for immune function. As a result, people with HIV are more susceptible to opportunistic infections, which invade the body as the disease progresses. Opportunistic infections are caused by viruses and bacteria that usually don’t make healthy people sick, but will make HIV-infected persons sick because of their weakened immune system. At this point, an HIV-infected person is said to have AIDS. There is no vaccine for prevention and no cure.
HIV/AIDS infection is usually transmitted through and infected person’s body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk and other potentially infected materials if blood is present. Infection is most likely to occur with exposure to blood through injection through the skin, unprotected mucous membranes and open skin wounds; and semen through unprotected sex. HIVAIDS is not transmitted through casual contact with an infected person. Symptoms of HIV infection are varied, and include fatigue, fever, weight loss, night sweats, rashes, mouth sores and the inability to fight off infection.
For more information about HIV/AIDS go to:
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver or liver injury caused by a viral infection, a toxin (a harmful chemical substance), or a disorder of the immune system. There are various different viruses which cause hepatitis; which have been simply named Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and others.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is classified as an enterovirus and is present in the stool of infected individuals. A person can become infected with HAV by transferring the virus from stool-contaminated hands to the mouth. This explains why it is easy for HAV to spread in overcrowded, unsanitary living conditions. HAV also spreads in contaminated water and food (especially shellfish).
Hepatitis A is usually a mild infection, particularly in young children, although it can be more severe in adults who may have liver damage from using alcohol.
Vaccines are also available for long-term prevention of the hepatitis A virus infection in persons 12 months of age and older.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B, also called "serum hepatitis," is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is found in certain infected body fluids: blood, saliva, semen, tears, breast milk, and urine. Infections may result from having a blood transfusion contaminated with HBV, sharing contaminated needles or syringes for injecting drugs, or engaging in sexual activity with an HBV-infected person.
Hepatitis B vaccine is available for all age groups to prevent hepatitis B virus infection.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C virus is an RNA virus which is particularly small, virulent, and resilient. Hepatitis C is very common amongst people who inject drugs.
There is currently no completely effective treatment for this disease.
Hepatitis C is an extremely infectious disease and can readily be transmitted by blood to blood contact such as sharing needles and syringes, blood transfusions, tattooing, body piercing, and dental work.
Unlike Hepatitis A & B, Hepatitis C attacks the liver slowly over a much longer timeframe and most people infected will experience no symptoms for many years from the time of infection. However during this time they remain carriers of the disease and are able to infect others. Hepatitis C virus lives outside the body for much longer time than HIV and is herefore much more easily spread. Recent studies suggest that HCV may survive on environmental surfaces at room temperature at least 16 hours, but no longer than 4 days.
For more information on Hepatitis, please refer to:
|
