Introduction to HIV/AIDS

Introduction to HIV/AIDS NAMES OF MEMBERS K.J. TIKISO M.J. MOHOLOHOLO M.R. MATUKA J,M. MOHOLO M.O. MLOTUMI HIV and AIDS outline (Foreword): HIV and AIDs is the most threatening disease which everyone on this planet earth is scared to contact the virus, simply because there is no medication found to cure the virus yet. The disease leaves most of the children without parents and some instances with single parents. An unfortunate part about the disease is that some of the health workers don’t have choice to when it comes to which patients they can treat, e.g. Hospital workers and Emergency Service workers. The aim of these projects set as and educational (awareness) tool, identify methods of counselling and support services in the emergency medical service environment. Glossary of terms AIDS- Stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome which means the body loses its ability to fight infections; HIV weakens the immune system Anal intercourse -Penetration of the anus of a man or female Antibody- A specific protein made by a person’s white blood cells to fight a disease; for example, antibodies are produced against the different kinds of colds, flu and HIV. Anus- Opening at back of body through which waste matter is AZT A – drug that attacks the HIV/AIDS virus and slows down the disease. Blood transfusion receiving blood after a major accident or certain operations. Carrier – Someone who is infected with HIV/AIDS. Condom- A contraceptive usually made of thin latex rubber and worn on an erect penis; condoms greatly reduce the chances of both males and females catching sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS Confidential- Information that must not be told to others. Counselling- Talking to someone about their concerns and helping them deal with their problems; pre-test counselling involves talking to someone and explaining the consequences if the result is positive. Counsellor – Someone who listens to your p roblems and gives you advice. Co-workers- Means people you work with. Diarrhoea- Upset (runny) stomach Discharge- Pus or moisture that oozes from an infected area. Discrimination- Treating people unfairly or differently from yourself based on prejudice. Donating blood- Giving blood to be used in medical emergencies. Epidemic – A disease that spreads fast from one person to another person. Expiry date- Date limited for something to be used for certain period. False negative- Is a blood test for HIV that does not clearly show the presence of HIV in a particular person with HIV; this may happen if the test is done before the person has developed antibodies that will show up in a test. False positive- A blood test for HIV that shows the presence of HIV in a person who does not have HIV; this happens when the test finds antibodies to another organism. Female condom – A contraceptive usually made of thin latex rubber and worn inside the vagina; to reduce the chances of both males and females catching sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. Germ- Tiny, living things that may bring illness. HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Virus.