Core 116: AIDS

The Awakening

                                by Demaine Francis

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Perceptions

The Data

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Table 3

Table 4

The Media

Recourses Paper (1)

Paper 2

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Paper 3

Resources Paper (3)

What is HIV/AIDS?

            Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a type of virus which targets the immune system and is contracted through bodily fluids. Within our immune system there are T- helper cells and macrophages which work together to help protect us against viral and bacterial invaders. However, HIV attacks the T-helper cells and macrophages, thus making it difficult for them to protect us, and eventually increasing our risk of infection. In a healthy human there are 800-1200 T-helper cells per micro liter. In persons infected with HIV, the number of their T-helper cells will gradually decrease. When this count drops below 200 cells per micro liter, they are now considered to have AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).(A)