K.N.O.W. Home Health

HIV/AIDS

What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
It is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. The immune system helps protect you from getting sick.
If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS.

What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
This is the last stage of HIV infection, when the immune system is badly damaged and the body cannot fight infections well.
Not everyone with HIV will develop AIDS, especially if they get treatment.

What Causes HIV?

HIV is caused by a virus that attacks special white blood cells called CD4 cells (T-cells).
The virus uses these cells to make more copies of itself, which weakens the immune system over time.

How is HIV Spread (Transmitted)?

HIV is passed from one person to another through:

Blood
Semen (fluid from a man’s penis)
Vaginal fluids
Breast milk
Rectal fluids

HIV can be spread by:

Having sex without a condom or without medicines that prevent HIV.
Sharing needles, syringes, or other sharp tools that touch blood.
From mother to baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding (if the mother is not treated).

HIV is NOT spread by:

Hugging, kissing, or shaking hands
Sharing food or drinks
Using the same toilet or shower
Mosquito bites

Symptoms of HIV

Some people have no symptoms for many years.
When symptoms do happen, they may include:

Fever
Tiredness
Swollen lymph nodes
Rash
Weight loss
Night sweats
Frequent infections

Complications of HIV and AIDS

Without treatment, HIV can cause:

AIDS
Serious infections like pneumonia or tuberculosis
Certain cancers
Death from infections the body can’t fight

Special Diet

There is no special "HIV diet," but eating healthy helps keep your immune system strong:

Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Choose lean protein (chicken, fish, beans).
Drink enough water.
Avoid raw or undercooked meat, eggs, or seafood to reduce risk of infections.

Treatment

HIV is treated with medicines called antiretroviral therapy (ART).
ART helps lower the amount of virus in the body.
With daily treatment, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives and avoid giving the virus to others.
Never stop or skip your medicines without talking to your doctor.

Other Special Considerations

Get vaccines for illnesses like flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis (doctor will guide you).
Use condoms to prevent spreading HIV to others.
Do not share needles.
Keep all doctor visits and lab tests.
Tell any health care provider you see that you have HIV, so they can give you the safest care.

Patient Homework / Assessment

Instructions:
Read each statement. Circle True if it is correct. Circle False if it is wrong, and if it is wrong, write the correct statement.

True or False:

True or False: HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
True or False: AIDS is the early stage of HIV infection.
True or False: HIV can be passed through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk.
True or False: HIV can be spread by hugging or shaking hands.
True or False: HIV attacks the body’s immune system.
True or False: You can get HIV from sharing needles.
True or False: HIV can be spread from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding if not treated.
True or False: ART (antiretroviral therapy) can help control HIV and let people live long, healthy lives.
True or False: Without treatment, HIV can lead to AIDS.
True or False: People with HIV should avoid raw or undercooked meat, eggs, and seafood.
True or False: HIV can be cured with the right medicines.
True or False: People with HIV should eat healthy foods to help keep their immune system strong.
True or False: Some people can have HIV for years without symptoms.
True or False: Using condoms can help prevent the spread of HIV.
True or False: Once you start ART, you can stop it after you feel better.
True or False: HIV can cause certain cancers if not treated.
True or False: Vaccines can help protect people with HIV from other illnesses.
True or False: Mosquito bites can spread HIV.
True or False: HIV damages CD4 cells (T-cells) in the immune system.
True or False: People with HIV should keep all doctor visits and lab tests.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:

Have you noticed new symptoms such as fever, weight loss, night sweats, or frequent infections that could mean your immune system is getting weaker?

Activity Impact / Safety:
2. Are you feeling too tired, sick, or weak to safely do your normal daily activities?

Treatment Adherence:
3. Have you been able to take your HIV medicines (antiretroviral therapy) every day as prescribed and attend your follow-up appointments?

Preventive Measures:
4. What steps are you taking to protect your health and prevent spreading HIV to others, such as practicing safe sex, not sharing needles, and keeping up with vaccines?

Additional Information (labs):
5. Do you know when your next blood tests (such as CD4 count and viral load) are scheduled and why they are important to track your health?