ANSWER: When a virus invades the human body, the body's immune system recognizes the virus as a foreign intruder and develops antibodies to combat the virus. Tests to determine if a person is infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) check for the presence of these antibodies.  Being HIV positive means that HIV antibodies have been found in a person's blood meaning the person has been infected with HIV.

See How do you find out if you are infected? for more information.

2. Being infected with HIV (being HIV positive) means that a person has AIDS.

 A. TRUE
 B.  FALSE

ANSWER:  B. FALSE.  AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the late stage of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection. An HIV infected person receives an AIDS diagnosis when he or she has symptoms indicating severe immune system breakdown.

See What is HIV/AIDS? for more information.

3. What does HIV do to the body's infection fighting cells (called CD4 or T4 cells)?

ANSWER:  HIV attacks the body's infection fighting cells (called CD4 or T4 cells) as well as other immune system cells.  Over time, HIV can destroy almost all of an infected person's CD4 T cells. This means that the body loses its ability to defend itself against certain infections and cancers that would not normally develop in healthy people.  These infections are referred to as opportunistic infections including:  tuberculosis, candidiasis (thrush), pnuemocystis carinii pneumonia, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus.

See How does HIV work in the body? for more information.

Go to CNN AIDS: 20 Years of an Epidemicand click on the link, "Flash: How HIV Infects Cells" to see an animated illustration of HIV infection.

4. Because most people do not experience many symptoms of HIV infection for up to 8 to 10 years, a person who is HIV positive does not need worry about transmitting the virus to others during this period.

 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE

ANSWER.  B. FALSE. Even without symptoms, a person who is HIV positive is still infected with HIV and can transmit the virus to other people.

See What happens to me if I have HIV? for more information.

5.  There are drugs available to “cure” AIDS.

 A. TRUE
 B. FALSE

ANSWER:  B. FALSE.   Drugs called anti-revtrovirals attack HIV and attempt to prevent it from multiplying in the human body. These drugs can slow disease progression and extend people's lives. However, anti-retroviral therapy does not completely eradicate the virus from the body and is not a “cure.”

See How is HIV treated? for more information.

Go to CNN AIDS: 20 Years of an Epidemic.Click on the link, "Treatments and Vaccines" to see how anti-retroviral drugs work to combat HIV.
 

6. Name two problems associated with taking anti-retroviral drugs.

Possible answers include:

A. Anti-retroviral therapy may not work for as many as 30-50% of patients. Some patients initially respond to therapy, however, the virus in their body mutates and it ceases to be susceptible to the drugs they are taking. If this happens, patients must switch to other drugs  Because there are a finite number of drugs available, the patient may  run out of treatment options.

B.  Some drugs currently available must be taken on schedules that are not convenient or are difficult to follow. Patients may have to take 20-30 pills per day at different intervals and often with different rules; for example, some drugs must be taken with food and others without, etc. In order for anti-retroviral treatment to be effective, the drugs should be taken correctly, that is, on schedule, at least 90% of the time.

C. Drugs currently available have significant side effects. Side effects can vary from person to person. Some people experience few or no side effects, while others experience mild side effects. Other people, however, may suffer side effects that are severe and potentially lethal. Common side effects include: nausea, diarrhea, fever, rash, fatigue, liver toxicity, lipodistrophy, peripheral neuropathy, and lactic acidosis.

D. Anti-retroviral drugs are very expensive. In the United States the cost can be up to $15,000 per year per person.

See How is HIV treated? for more information.
 

7.  HIV can be transmitted from one person to another through:

 A. semen

 B. blood

 C. vaginal fluids

 D. breast milk

 E. sharing syringes, razors, and tattooing and piercing tools

 G. pregnancy or at birth

 F. A, B, and C only

 G. All of the above

ANSWER: G. All of the above.

See How is HIV transmitted? for more information.

8. HIV is not transmitted by:

A. toilet seats

B. spending time in the same building or public place with a person with HIV/AIDS

C. mosquitoes

D. shaking hands or hugging

E. all of the above

F. A, B, and D only

ANSWER:  E. all of the above.

See How is HIV transmitted? for more information.
 

9. How many people in the world are living with HIV/AIDS?

A. Between 30 to 40 million

C. Between 20 to 30 million

D. Between 10 to 20 million

E. Less than 10 million

ANSWER: A. Between 30 to 40 million. The estimate at the end of 1999 was 34.3 million adults and children living with HIV/AIDS worldwide.

See How many people have HIV/AIDS? for more information.

10. Worldwide, about what percentage of people living with HIV/AIDS  live in sub-Saharan Africa?

A. about 90%

B. about 70%

C. about 50%

D. about 30%

ANSWER:  B. about 70%. At the end of 1999 it was estimated that 24.5 million (24,500,000) adults and children in sub-Saharan Africa were living with HIV/AIDS. At that time in North America, about 900 thousand (900,000) people were estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS.

See How many people have HIV/AIDS? for more information.

This information was taken from the HIV/AIDS Background Booklet from the Seattle & King County Public Health Department
Read or download the background booklet in PDF format.