AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) is the disease that develops after one has been infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). HIV enters the body of an uninfected person through either a break in the skin or through mucous membranes surrounding bodily orifices. Once the virus is inside of the body, it heads directly for lymphoid tissues, such as bone marrow or the thymus. It is in these areas of the immune system that HIV binds with T-Cells in order to replicate itself. Proteins on the exterior of HIV connect with proteins on the cell wall of the T-Cell, allowing the viruses’ core to enter the cell. Once inside the T-Cell, the HIV virus begins to turn it’s unusable RNA into usable DNA using a protein called Reverse Transcriptase. At this point, the viral DNA binds with the T-Cell DNA inside the nucleus and produces the genetic material that will create a new HIV cell. The new genetic material travels back out of the nucleus and toward the cell wall, where it will eventually enclose itself with the T-Cell’s cell membrane and detach to form a whole new HIV cell. This new HIV cell will then attack other T-Cells.

            T-Cells are a critical part of a healthy immune system. HIV is extremely dangerous because it turns T-Cells into virus-producing machines and prevents the cells from helping the body fight infection. Eventually, the HIV virus replicates so much that the T-Cell (or white blood cell) count drops dramatically. A healthy person should have a white blood cell count between 500 and 1,800 per cubic millimeter of blood. Once an HIV positive person’s cell count drops to 200 T-Cells per cubic millimeter of blood, they are diagnosed with AIDS. There are five possible stages of HIV infection:

●         Infection- occurs when the virus first enters the body and begins to replicate; may present with flu-like symptoms.

●         Response-  occurs when an infected person’s body forms antibodies to try and fight the HIV infection; point where a person goes from HIV negative to HIV positive.

●         No Symptoms- portion of infection where HIV positive person may not present any symptoms.

●         Symptoms- portion of infection where HIV positive person may have other infections, such as Tuberculosis or Pneumonia.

●         AIDS- occurs when HIV positive person presents various symptoms, infections, and positive test results.

Every person responds differently to the HIV virus. For some it may take months to develop into full blown AIDS and for others it may take years. Ultimately, a person does not die from AIDS itself; instead, AIDS usually lowers a person’s immune system so much that they are susceptible to severe infections, such as pneumonia. Medications may be taken to slow the progression of both HIV and AIDS.

For further information, visit www.cdc.gov/hiv.

     The Texas HIV/STD Surveillance Report for 2006 is the most recent and accurate report reflecting the number of people living in Texas with HIV/AIDS.  This annual report was published by the Texas Department of State Health Services in the middle of 2007, making 2008 data not yet available. The statistical data listed below is for Bexar County, because it is important to understand that HIV and AIDS is right here in our backyard.  AIDS awareness is important to everyone, but you should understand why it is important to YOU.
     The total number of HIV positive cases for Bexar County was 1,589, with 214 new cases reported in 2006.  The total number of AIDS cases for Bexar County was 4,818, with 210 new cases reported in 2006.  Bexar County has the third highest HIV/AIDS rates of all Texas counties, with only Harris and Dallas County ranking higher respectively.
     If you would like to get more information, or view the entire 2006 HIV/STD Surveillance Report, please visit the following link: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/stats/pdf/surv_2006.pdf
You may also contact the Texas Department of State Health Services by writing them at 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756.
Information on reporting HIV/AIDS cases can be obtained by calling your local or regional health department, or by calling 1-800-705-8868.

There are plenty of simple ways to avoid HIV contraction.  While education is important, it is crucial that you abide by the tips and information available.  You will find some helpful communication below taken from mayoclinic.com.  

 Prevention

There’s no vaccine to prevent HIV infection and no cure for AIDS. But it’s possible to protect yourself and others from infection. That means educating yourself about HIV and avoiding any behavior that allows HIV-infected fluids — blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk — into your body.

If you’re HIV-negative
The following measures can help keep you from being infected with HIV:

• Educate yourself and others. Make sure you understand what HIV is and how the virus is transmitted.  Just as important, teach your children about HIV.
• Know the HIV status of any sexual partner. Don’t engage in unprotected sex unless you’re absolutely certain your partner isn’t infected with HIV.
• Use a new latex or polyurethane condom every time you have sex. If you don’t know the HIV status of your partner, use a new latex condom every time you have anal or vaginal sex. If you’re allergic to latex, use a plastic (polyurethane) condom. Avoid lambskin condoms — they do not protect you from HIV. If you don’t have a male condom, use a female condom. Use only water-based lubricants, not petroleum jelly, cold cream or oils. Oil-based lubricants can weaken condoms and cause them to break. During oral sex use a condom, dental dam — a piece of medical-grade latex —or plastic wrap. Remember that although condoms can reduce your risk of contracting HIV, they don’t eliminate the risk entirely. Condoms can break or develop small tears, and they may not always be used properly.
•  Consider male circumcision. A large study in 2006 by the National Institutes of Health showed that medically performed circumcision significantly reduced a man’s risk of acquiring HIV through heterosexual intercourse. The study, conducted in Kenya, showed a 53 percent reduction of HIV infection in circumcised HIV-negative men compared with uncircumcised men in the study. The outcome was heralded by the NIH as good news not only because it reduced the number of HIV-infected men, but also because it could lead to fewer infections among women in areas of the world where HIV is spread primarily through heterosexual intercourse.
• Use a clean needle. If you use a needle to inject drugs, make sure it’s sterile, and don’t share it. Take advantage of needle exchange programs in your community and consider seeking help for your drug use.
•  Be cautious about blood products in certain countries. Although the blood supply in the United States is now well screened, this isn’t always the case in other countries. If an emergency requires that you receive blood or blood products in another country, get tested for HIV as soon as you return home.
•  Get regular screening tests. If you are a woman, have a yearly Pap test. Men and women who engage in anal sex should also have regular tests for anal cancer.
• Don’t become complacent. Because potent antiretroviral medications have reduced the number of AIDS deaths in the United States, you may think that HIV infection is no longer a problem. But HIV/AIDS is still a terminal illness for which there is no vaccine and no cure. Right now, the only way to stay healthy is to protect yourself and others from infection.

       http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiv-aids

Every hour, approximately forty children die as a result of AIDS

In 2006, 27.2% of the HIV/AIDS cases that lived in Bexar County were below the age of 22. HIV can harm a child’s life in three main ways: the community in which the child is growing up, an infection in someone in the child’s family, and, finally, by the child being infected themselves.

 When AIDS exists in a child’s community:

●         Children could lose their friends to AIDS.

●         When AIDS exists in a community, schools lose teachers and it becomes increasingly harder for children to access education.

●         Doctors and caretakers/nurses die and children find it hard to attain care for childhood illnesses/diseases.

When AIDS exists in a child’s family:

●         Children have the risk of becoming the caretakers of their sick family member.

●         Many children have lost at least one parent to AIDS.

●         Children live with the family members that are infected, increasing their risk of infection.

●         Parents are no longer able to work, leaving children with the responsibility of providing for the family.

●         Children who have HIV in their family could be vulnerable to discrimination.

When a child is infected with AIDS:

●         They spend the precious years of their childhood in doctors’ offices and hospitals.

●         They can’t run and play like other kids because their immune system is so weak they could catch a cold that might kill them. 

●         They take dozens of pills a day just so that they can live long enough to maybe one day go to Prom or get their driver’s license.

●         They can’t have a sleep-over or birthday parties because their friends’ parents worry about their kid “catching” the virus.

Although mother to child transmission accounts for the majority of the children infected, there are other ways a child may acquire the disease.  In some cases, the disease is transmitted through needles that have not been sterilized in hospitals or doctors’ offices.  Although this is very uncommon, it has occurred. Engaging in sexual activity can infect children with HIV.  Teenagers are taking part in sexual activities at an increasingly younger age.  While consensual sex has been known to result in infection, rape and abuse can also result in the transmission of HIV or AIDS.

http://www.avert.org/stop-aids-children.php 

In order to raise funds and awareness about AIDS and our organization, The Fight for Life organizes a massive annual AIDS Benefit Concert . The purpose of the concert is to raise awareness about AIDS and our organization. The performers have all donated their time and include all types of music from local acts, to mainstream artists. The event is open to all ages and provides many educational activities and events to inform about AIDS and ways to get involved that are appropriate for each group. The AIDS benefit Concert is meant to provide a fun and educational experience with the hopes of gaining support and awareness for our cause. Some of our previous performers include Los Lonely Boys, Alter Bridge, Tool, Tracy Lawrence, and many more. We also try to get local business and radio stations involved in out efforts. For more information about the upcoming AIDS Benefit Concert please check back to our website frequently to learn the latest about the concert and our efforts.

If your business or organization would like to take part in our efforts for the upcoming AIDS Benefit Concert please contact us. We offer an array of sponsorship opportunities that would greatly further our cause and promote your organization.

The Fight for Life

1035 Cantera Ste.152

San Antonio TX 78251

(800) 959-AIDS