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AIDS & HIV Prevention


What Is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and HIV Infection?


FACT: Over 50% of new HIV infections occur among people under age 25. Every hour in the USA, two teenagers will contract HIV.


AIDS is a deficiency of the body's immune system to fight a variety of infections and cancers. AIDS is the final (and fatal) stage that results from the infection of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is the most dangerous of all the STDs because there is still no cure or vaccine. New treatments have been developed to slow down the effects of the virus and people with AIDS are living longer than ever before, but it is still very DEADLY! Once you have the virus, you have it forever. Anyone is at risk for AIDS whether they are gay or straight. Initially AIDS was found mainly among gay men. But that group's infection rate has decreased through education and "safe sex". NOW the number of cases being reported at HIGH rates is among heterosexual young adults and TEENAGERS!

"Safe Sex" = using condoms and spermicide with every act of sex.

Incubation Period
Variable. About 1 - 6 months from the time of infection to the time of detectable antibodies in the blood. The time from HIV infection to the diagnosis of AIDS has been noted to be anywhere from 2 months to 10 years or longer. So, even if you tested negative last week, that still means you might be positive in four months or so. Testing is IMPORTANT, get tested, but still use “safe sex”.

Transmission
HIV is passed through blood and bodily fluids. Mainly semen, blood and vaginal secretions. (Also breast milk).

Infection can happen in 5 ways:

  • Sexual intercourse with an infected person.
  • Anal intercourse with an infected person.
  • Sharing needles and other paraphernalia for injecting drugs with an infected person (this includes using steroids and "skin popping" drugs).
  • Infected blood or blood products given by blood transfusions or other medical treatments. (This is very rare in the U.S. and Canada as all blood is screened for the HIV infection.)
  • Giving birth (if YOU are infected with HIV). About 1 in 4 HIV-positive mothers will infect their babies either during birth, while pregnant, (the virus crosses the placenta to the fetus), or by breast feeding.


    • It can take 10 years (or more) for the HIV virus to develop into full-blown AIDS. Once you are infected you will eventually develop AIDS, even though new drugs can slow down this process. Eventually the breakdown of the immune system will occur and the person becomes fatally vulnerable to diseases that healthy people rarely die from. Even the flu can kill a person with AIDS.

    Getting Tested for AIDS
    The AIDS virus can be detected by a blood test. The virus takes anywhere from three to six months to be detected in the body. The test is totally confidential. You are often assigned a number when tested and no name is used. You can get tested without parental consent. The blood test is often inexpensive at clinics or at the local Health Department. Your private health care provider can also test you. Soon to be available is a "Test-by-Mail Kit" in the United States. (Update: It is available and accurate).

    If you are sexually active -- get tested -- you will feel great when you find out you are negative. If you are not sexually active and don't inject drugs, you don't need to worry about contracting HIV. If you ARE sexually active:
    DON'T GET AIDS in the first place! PROTECT YOURSELF! It is that easy.

    Four ways to NOT get AIDS:

  • NEVER have sex without a latex condom and spermicide (spermicides do weaken and even kill the virus). USE them together! Every time!
  • If you have an open cut inside your mouth, DO NOT have oral sex with anyone. Condoms should be used for oral sex (there are flavored ones).
  • If you are a drug-user who uses needles, NEVER share needles with anyone.
  • If you decide to get a tattoo or body piecing, make sure it is done with sterile equipment and by a reputable person.

    • ** Note **

    Please remember that the information presented in this forum is for your education only, and is not intended to extend medical advice or diagnosis. If you have questions or feel that you may be experiencing symptoms similar to those presented, please call the Berkeley County Health Department at (304) 263-5131 or your primary care provider for formal medical attention.