HIV: Local cases are on the rise, learn more to protect yourself & others.

Health Department
1 day ago
2 min read

Per CDC:

Here is some basic information to help protect yourself and those you love.

Key points

HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system.
The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.
There are many ways to prevent HIV, like using PrEP, PEP, condoms and never sharing needles.
HIV treatment helps people live long, healthy lives and prevents HIV transmission.

Overview

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

There is currently no effective cure. Once people get HIV, they have it for life. But proper medical care can control the virus.

People with HIV who get on and stay on effective HIV treatment can live long, healthy lives and protect their partners.

Symptoms

Most people have flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks after infection. Symptoms may last for a few days or several weeks.

Having these symptoms alone doesn't mean you have HIV. Other illnesses can cause similar symptoms.

Some people have no symptoms at all. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.

How it spreads

Most people who get HIV get it through anal or vaginal sex, or sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment.

Only certain body fluids can transmit HIV. These fluids include:

blood,
semen (cum),
pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum),
rectal fluids, and
vaginal fluids

These fluids must come in contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into the bloodstream (from a needle or syringe) for transmission to occur.

Factors like a person's viral load, other sexually transmitted infections, and alcohol or drug use can increase the chances of getting or transmitting HIV.

But there are powerful tools that can help prevent HIV transmission.

Prevention

Today, more tools than ever are available to prevent HIV.

Prevention strategies include:

Using condoms the right way every time you have sex.
Never sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment.
Using PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis).

If you have HIV, there are many ways to prevent transmitting HIV to others, including taking HIV treatment to get and keep an undetectable viral load.

Schedule an appointment for regular STD testing, based on your risk factors

You can get HIV if you have anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV without using protection (like condoms or medicine to prevent HIV).
You can also get HIV from sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment (for example, cookers) with someone who has HIV.
You can pass HIV to your baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing (breastfeeding).

For testing call:

Berkeley County: Call 304-263-5131, Option 1 for Clinical

Morgan County: Call 304-258-1513, Option 1 for Clinical

To learn more visit: About HIV | HIV | CDC