Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) First occurred in Africa and spread to the

e Caribbean Islands Was reported in USA in 1981 and so with other countries Spread so rapidly that it soon occurred in epidemic proportion in several countries of the world including Philippines Currently pandemic 1984 1st case of AIDS in the Philippines May 2000 - 1,385 HIV positive and 464 AIDs cases -- Philippine National AIDs Council (PNAC) Causative Agent: Retrovirus Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus 3 (HTLV 3) Mode of Transmission: Sexual Contact Blood Transfusion Contaminated syringes, needles, nipper, razor blades Direct contact of open wound/mucous membrane with contaminated blood, body fluids, semen and vaginal discharges

Incubation Period: Variable. Although the time from infection to the development of detectable antibodies is generally 1-3 months, the time from HIV infection to diagnosis of AIDS has an observed range of less than 1 year to 15 years or longer. Signs and Symptoms: A. Physical Maculo-papular rashes Loss of appetite Weight loss Fever of unknown origin Malaise Persistent diarrhea Tuberculosis (localized and disseminated) Esophageal candidiasis Kaposis sarcoma (skin cancer) Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia Gaunt-looking, apprehensive Forgetfulness Loss of concentration Loss of libido Apathy Psychomotor retardation Withdrawal Confusion Disorientation Seizures Mutism Loss of memory Coma

B. Mental Early Stage

Later Stage

Diagnosis:

Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) presumptive test

Western blot confirmatory test

Prevention: Maintain monogamous relationship Avoid promiscuous sexual contact Sterilize needles, syringes and instruments used for cutting operations Proper screening of blood donors Rigid examination of blood and other products for transfusion Avoid oral, anal contact and swallowing of semen Use of condoms and other protective device

HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Program: Goal: Contain the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other reproductive tract infections and mitigate their impact. Objectives: 1. Contain the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among the general population less than one year (1) per 100,000 population by the end of 2010. 2. Contain the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among the pregnant women ages 15-24 years. 3. Contain the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among the high risk or more in less than 3%. 4. Reduce the incidence of gonorrhea among high risk of more vulnerable population. 5. Reduce the transmission of STIs in the general population and among the vulnerable group by 12% or less. And condom use rate at least to high risk sex by 80%. Responsibilities and Functions of the Community Health Nurse in HIV/AIDS Prevention/Control The responsibilities and functions of the community health nurse are mostly along prevention, casefinding and supportive-care during management of AIDS cases. The nurse must be well-informed of signs and symptoms as well as the mode of transmission of the disease in order to give effective health education.

The following precautions are given for health workers dealing with AIDS patients: Extreme care must be taken to avoid accidental wounds from sharp instrument contaminated with potentially infectious material from AIDS patients. Avoid contact of open skin lesions with material from AIDS patient. Gloves should be worn when handling blood specimens, bloodsoiled items, body fluids, excretions and secretions as well as all surface materials and objects exposed to them. Gowns should be worn when clothing may be soiled with body fluids, blood secretions or excretions. Hands should be washed thoroughly and immediately if they become contaminated with blood and after removing gowns and gloves and before leaving the rooms of suspected or known AIDS patients.

Blood and other specimens should be labeled prominently with a special warning, such as AIDS Precautions Blood spills should be cleaned up promptly with a disinfectant solution such as sodium hypochlorine (household bleach) Articles soiled with blood should be placed in an improvised bags labeled in bold letters. AIDS Precautions being reprocessed. Instruments with lenses should be sterilized after use on AIDS patients. Needles should not be bent after use, but should be promptly placed in a punctureresistant container used solely for such disposal. Needles should not be re-inserted into their original sheaths before being discarded into the container since this is a common cause of needle injury. Disposable needles and syringes are preferred. Patients with active AIDS should be isolated. Masks are not routinely necessary but are recommended only for direct, sustained contact with patients who are coughing profusely. Care of thermometer wash with warm soapy water. Soak in 70% alcohol for 10 minutes, dry and store. The thermometer should be reserved for patient use only. Personal articles toothbrushes, razor and razor blades should not be shared with other family members. Used razor blades may be discarded in the same manner as disposable needles and syringes.