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HIV/AIDS
Basics
Table of Contents
Defining the Terms
AIDS - Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome is the life-threatening stage
of HIV disease.
Antibody - Proteins
produced by the immune system to fight infections.
HIV - Human Immunodificiency
Virus is the virus that weakens the immune system
and can cause AIDS.
HIV Antibody Test
- A blood test that shows if a person has antibodies
to fight HIV, thus implying HIV infection.
HIV Disease - The
disease caused by HIV that attacks and destroys
a person's immune system until it is not able to
fight off
infection.
HIV Transmission
- When the HIV-infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids,
pre-ejaculate fluid or breast milk from one person
enters
another's bloodstream.
Immune System - The
body's defense system against infection and disease.
Opportunistic Infections
- Diseases that take advantage of an immune system
weakened by HIV.
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How is
HIV Transmitted?
HIV is transmitted from one person to another by infected:
- Blood
- Semen
- Vaginal fluids
- Breast milk
- Pre-Ejaculate fluid (pre cum)
You CAN get HIV from a person who is infected through:
- Sex - having unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex (without a condom)
- Needles - sharing unclean needles and syringes to inject
drugs, steroids or vitamins or sharing needles for body piercing, tattoos
or becoming "blood brothers"
- Mother to Child - through pregnancy, birth or breast feeding
- Contaminated Blood Products - Before 1985 donated blood was not tested.
Today all donated blood and blood products are tested for HIV.
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HIV IS NOT TRANSMITTED THROUGH
CASUAL CONTACT
You CAN'T get HIV by:
- Hugging
- Kissing
- Sharing food or drink
- Touching or being around someone who is sneezing or coughing
There is no need for concern about day to day contact in the workplace, at
school, from cooks, waiters or from family and friends who have HIV.
There is no evidence that shows HIV can be transmitted by saliva, tears or
sweat. Urine and feces do not transmit HIV if there is no blood in them.
Health workers such as doctors, dentists, nurses
and others who provide medical care wear latex gloves and masks to protect
themselves
and their patients from
HIV and other infections. Also, they clean and sterilize instruments or use
disposable ones for your protection.
REMEMBER: If infected blood, semen, vaginal
fluids, pre-ejaculate fluid or breast milk do not get into your bloodstream,
there is no risk of HIV infection.
Now that you have the facts about HIV/AIDS, talk
to others and share what you've learned. HIV disease can be prevented. It
is up to each of us to stop the
spread of this disease.
If you know someone who has HIV disease or AIDS,
the most important thing you can do is to be supportive and compassionate.
There are many treatments and
services that can help people live long and productive lives.
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Sexual Risk
Reduction (Safer Sex)
How to Start
Step 1: Gather the facts and decide what safer sex means to you.
Step 2: Talk with your partner(s) about what is important to you. Whether
you are with someone new or have been in a relationship, talking about sex takes
practice. If you cannot comfortably talk with your partner about sex, it may
be an indicator that you are not ready to engage in sexual activities.
Step 3: Tell your partner what you are willing to do and what you are
not willing to do. Make decisions together.
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For Your Protection
- When used properly, latex condoms are an effective barrier
against the spread of HIV. Latex condoms are approved by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) as the first choice of condom to protect against sexually
transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and pregnancy. While "natural membrane"
(sheepskin, lambskin) condoms are not recommended because HIV may pass through
them, however they can effectively prevent pregnancy.
- Another type of male condom, made out of a type of plastic (polyurethane),
can be used if you and/or your partner are allergic to latex. The
risks of STDs, including HIV/AIDS, and pregnancy are not known for this type
of condom.
- Still another type of condom, the Reality Female Condom, is also
made out of polyurethane and has been approved by the FDA as an effective
alternative if latex condoms are not available. The Reality Condom is designed
as a vaginally-inserted pouch and should not be used at the same time as
a latex condom. It is possible to use the Reality Condom for anal sex, but
it has not been approved for this type of usage.
- Be a wise consumer. Be aware of condom expiration dates. Do not use
expired condoms. Take the time to read the labels and instructions.
- Use "novelty" condoms for foreplay only. These condoms might cause
irritation or may break more easily and should not be used for vaginal and
anal sex.
- Store condoms in a cool, dry place. Sunlight, heat and friction will
damage the condom. Condoms should not be stored in wallets or glove compartments
of cars. A shirt pocket or a front pant pocket are less likely to damage a
condom than a back pocket if you are carrying them with you.
- Lubricants can be used in a variety of ways to enhance sexual pleasure
and to provide added protection. Use only water-based lubricants when
using a latex condom during vaginal or anal sex. When shopping for lubricants,
look for water as the main ingredient and make sure it does not also contain
any oil.
- Oil-based lubricants can break down latex condoms within seconds
of use. Examples of these include hand lotions, baby oil, butter, Vaseline
and cooking oil.
- Water-soluble lubricants are whipped in water so that they may wash
off more easily. Some may contain oil. Some may not. Be sure to read the labels.
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Lowering the Risk
- Use latex squares (dental dams), plastic wrap or an unlubricated condom
cut in half for oral sex with a woman or for mouth to anus sex. There are
a variety of flavored water-based lubricants that are available that may
enhance pleasure with these acts. NOTE: The FDA has not approved any of
these devices
for the sexual acts mentioned.
- Use condoms for oral sex with a man.
- Use condoms and lubricant for vaginal or anal sex.
- Please each other with safer activities such as massage, masturbation or
body rubbing, which do not involve the exchange of blood, semen, vaginal
fluids
or pre-ejaculate fluid.
- Know if you or the person you are having sex with is HIV-infected.
- Limit the number of sexual partners.
- Avoid the use of alcohol or recreational drugs before having sex. Drugs
and alcohol may influence your decision and may reduce your ability to practice
safer sex.
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How
does the Virus Work?
- Point of Infection - A person becomes
infected (Point of Infection) with HIV when HIV enters the bloodstream.
The immune system reacts by producing antibodies to
the virus. This reaction takes two weeks to three months in most people (but
may take as long as six months). This is known as the "window period." However,
as soon as a person is infected with HIV, they can transmit the virus to
others.
The HIV antibody test is a blood test that will show if a person has produced
antibodies (a reaction) to HIV. This test will show a "negative" or a "positive"
test result. An HIV-negative (HIV-) test result means that no antibodies
have been found (no HIV infection has been found). An HIV-positive (HIV+)
result means that antibodies have been found (HIV infection has been found).
During the window period, the HIV antibody test may show a "negative"
result because the body has not had a chance to produce antibodies. It
is best to take the test about three to six months after possible infection.
- Acute
Retroviral Syndrome - Also known as
symptomatic primary HIV2 infection syndrome or acute HIV2 infection syndrome,
Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS) usually occurs two to six weeks after point
of infection.
The virus is reproducing very rapidly in the body and the immune system has
not yet launched an attack. CD4 cells drop as viral load increases, which
may result in ARS. Symptoms*, which are not always present, are flu-like
and may include the following:
- fever or chills
- swollen lymph nodes
- sore throat
- fatigue
- weight loss
- muscle aches
- joint pain
- night sweats
- nausea/vomiting
- diarrhea
- pain in feet or fingers
- headaches/stiff neck
- sores in the mouth, genital or rectal area
- oral thrush
- a spotty rash on the torso
- HIV+ Asymptomatic - A person may be infected
with HIV and not show any outward symptoms for over 10 years.
- HIV+ Symptomatic - A person who begins
to have symptoms (Symptomatic HIV Disease) may experience severe and persistent
headaches, nausea, fatigue, weight loss,
diarrhea, fevers, recurrent vaginal infection, swollen glands lasting more
than 2 months, thrush, night sweats or abnormal PAP smears.
- AIDS - The life-threatening stage of
HIV disease. It is the diagnosis given to someone whose immune system has
become so damaged that certain diseases
(opportunistic infections) or cancers can develop. These diseases take advantage
of the opportunity of a weakened immune system.
*NOTE: not everyone
with ARS has symptoms and not everyone with these symptoms has ARS.
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AIDS Defining Conditions
Below is a list of AIDS
Defining Conditions as
determined by the Centers for Disease Control
in its 1993 AIDS Surveillance Case Definition. Assuming
that a person is HIV-positive, that person would
be
diagnosed with AIDS if he/she had one or more of the
following:
- Candidiasis of bronchi, trachea, or lungs
- Candidiasis, esophageal
- CD4 lymphocyte counts below 200, or a CD4 percent of total lymphocytes
less than 14 if the absolute count is not available
- Cervical cancer, invasive
- Coccidiomycosis, disseminated or extrapulmonary (Valley Fever)
- Cryptococcosis, extrapulmonary
- Cryptosporidiosis, chronic intestinal (>1 month duration)
- Cytomegalovirus disease (CMV); other than liver, spleen or nodes
- Cytomegalovirus retinitis (with loss of vision)
- HIV encephalopathy
- Herpes simplex: chronic ulcer(s) (>1 month duration); or bronchitis,
pneumonitis, or esophagitis
- Histoplasmosis, disseminated or extrapulmonary
- Isosporiasis, chronic intestinal (>1 month duration)
- Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS)
- Lymphoma, Burkitt's (or equivalent term)
- Lymphoma, immunoblastic (or equivalent term)
- Lymphoma, primary in brain
- Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) or M. kansasii, disseminated or extrapulmonary
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis, any site (pulmonary or extrapulmonary)
- Mycobacterium, other species or unidentified species, disseminated or
extrapulmonary
- Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)
- Pneumonia, recurrent
- Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
- Salmonella septicemia, recurrent
- Toxoplasmosis of brain
- Wasting syndrome due to HIV
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How
do I find out if I have HIV?
Take an HIV test. This is a very personal decision.
If you feel you may
have
taken
part
in activities that have
put you at risk, you may want to consider taking the test. The test should
be taken thre to six months after the last time you may have been at risk.
Since you can
be infected with HIV and look well and feel healthy for years, the only way
to know for sure if you are infected is by taking the HIV antibody test.
Click
here to
locate a testing site near you.
The importance of knowing if you have HIV is getting
early medical treatment, learning all you can about HIV disease and protecting
yourself and
others. Because there are many new drugs and treatments available, people are
living longer and healthier lives with HIV/AIDS.
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