What are HIV and AIDS?
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus and it leads to AIDS which stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV attacks the T cells in our bodies, which are cells in our immune system that fight off infections. The virus continues to deplete the body of T cells which allows for infections and diseases that normally a person would not be affected by. When the infections and disease have taken over the body, the person is then said to have AIDS, the last stage of HIV.
How is HIV transmitted?
There are several behaviors that contribute to the transmission of HIV. People usually transmit HIV through sexual behaviors and needle syringe use. Only certain fluids from a person with HIV can spread HIV such as: blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. These fluids have to come in contact with damaged tissue (cuts, sores, etc.), mucous membranes or be directly injected into the bloodstream in order for HIV to spread. Those who have HIV and do not use a condom, do not take preventative medicines, or have not been treated can spread the infection. Anal sex is the highest risk sexual behavior for contracting HIV, while the second highest risk sexual behavior is vaginal sex.
Another way HIV spreads is through the sharing of needles or syringes and other equipment used to prepare drugs for injection with a person who has HIV. During pregnancy, if a mother has HIV she can give it to her child through birth or breastfeeding if she is not taking medication or treating HIV otherwise.
Who is at risk for HIV?
More than 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection and almost 1 in 8 people are unaware of their infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gay and bisexual men accounted for 30,689 (81%) of the 37,887 estimated HIV diagnoses among all males 13 years and older and 65% of the 47,352 diagnoses among all persons receiving an HIV diagnosis in 2013. Statistics show that gay and bisexual men of all races are affected the most by HIV. African Americans are the most affected of all minorities. In 2013, there were an estimated 14,611 gay and bisexual men diagnosed with AIDS and of those 40% were blacks/African Americans; 32% were whites; 23% were Hispanics/Latinos.
Additionally, older people are more likely than younger people to be diagnosed with HIV infection. Those who are widowed or divorced are dating again and may be less aware of the risks for HIV. When women are not concerned with being pregnant at an older age are less likely to use condoms and practice safe sex. Those with HIV infection may not be tested because health care providers tend not to test older people for HIV. Also older patients may mistake HIV symptoms for aging symptoms. Those who do have HIV have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, thin bones and certain cancers.
Globally, HIV affected about 36.9 million people at the end of 2014, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Also the majority of people living with HIV are in low and middle income. Those in sub-Saharan Africa are the most affected. People in this region make up about 70% of the total new HIV infections globally.
What are the symptoms of HIV?
During the early stages of HIV, some people may experience flu-like symptoms within 2-4 weeks after HIV infection while others may not feel sick. The flu-like symptoms can include: fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, swollen nymph nodes and mouth ulcers. These symptoms can last for several weeks. However, some people may not experience symptoms for 10 years or more.
What are the symptoms of AIDS?
According to the U.S. department of health and human services, AIDS symptoms can include:
Rapid weight loss
Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
Extreme or unexplained tiredness
Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin and neck
Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
Sores in the mouth, anus or genitals
Pneumonia
Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose or eyelids
Memory loss, depression and other neurological disorders
HIV is NOT spread by:
- Air or water
- Mosquitoes, ticks or other insects
- Saliva, tears or sweat that is not mixed with the blood of an HIV-positive person
- Shaking hands, hugging, sharing toilets, sharing dishes/drinking glasses
- Closed-mouth or “social” kissing with someone who is HIV-positive
- Drinking fountains
- Other sexual activities that don’t involve the exchange of body fluids such as touching
How to know if you have HIV?
If you think you have been exposed to HIV, get an HIV test. You can ask your doctor or healthcare provider for an HIV test or you can get tested at other places such as medical clinics, substance abuse treatment programs, community health centers, hospitals, Planned Parenthood health centers, and some drug stores have an HIV home test kit. Be sure to follow-up with the results so that you can talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options if you are HIV-positive or prevention measures if you are HIV-negative.
How can you prevent against getting HIV?
To protect yourself from getting HIV abstain from sharing needles, sexual intercourse and sharing other equipment that is used to prepare the injection of drugs if you use steroids, hormones or other drugs. Do not share personal items that might have come into contact with blood including tooth brushes, razors, blades and needles that are used for piercing or tattooing. You can have safer sex by using condoms and other contraceptives correctly as well as engaging in “safer-sex” activities.
For more information visit:
https://www.aids.gov/ managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/
Planned Parenthood https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids
World Health Organization http://www.who.int/en/