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HIV & AIDS
Maybe you have heard the term HIV-positive. It means that an antibody test has shown that someone has been infected with HIV. It does not necessarily mean that a person has AIDS right now. People with HIV may not know or show that they carry the virus for up to 15 years and possibly longer. They may look, act, and feel healthy, but can still infect others with HIV through unsafe sex and sharing needles.
HIV doesn't discriminate. African American, Asian American, Latino/a, Native American, White, bisexual, gay, lesbian, straight, female, male, or transgender--anyone can become infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. It is not who you are but what you do that puts you at risk for getting HIV.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. It's caused by a virus called HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, that weakens the body's immune system (your defense against infections) so that it loses the ability to fight off infection and illnesses. Some medicines can lengthen the lives of people with AIDS, but there is no cure. The best way to combat the virus is to keep you from getting it.
How can you get HIV?
You can get HIV through direct contact with blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. You can get the virus by:
-Exchanging blood, semen, and vaginal secretions through vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse with someone who has HIV. During vaginal intercourse, the risk of becoming infected is higher for women than men, because HIV is more easily transmitted from man to woman.
-Sharing needles or syringes used for injecting drugs, medicine, tattooing, or ear piercing with someone who has HIV.
-Being born to a mother who has the virus. (HIV can be passed to an unborn baby through the umbilical cord while it is still inside the mother, through contact with vaginal fluids and blood during birth or through breast milk.)
You can't get it from:
-Touching, talking to, or sharing a home with a person who is living with HIV or AIDS.
-Sharing utensils, such as forks and spoons, used by someone living with HIV or AIDS.
-Using swimming pools, hot tubs, drinking fountains, toilet seats, doorknobs, gym equipment, or telephones used by people living with HIV or AIDS.
-Having someone with HIV or AIDS hug, kiss, spit, sneeze, cough, breathe, sweat, or cry on you.
-Being bitten by mosquitoes.
-Donating blood in countries like the U.S. where a new needle is used for every donor. You do not come into contact with anyone else's blood. In the U.S., donated blood is always screened for HIV so the risk of infection from a blood transfusion is very, very low.
Safer Sex
Contrary to popular belief, everybody isn't "doing it." Holding hands, kissing, and touching are all ways that you can show your feelings without having sex. Not having sex at all is the only 100 % effective, foolproof method of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
Low Risk Sex
If you do have sex, it is important to protect yourself and your partner by:
-Getting tested for HIV and insisting your partner does the same, before you have sex.
-Using a latex condom every single time you have vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse.
-Using a barrier, such as a latex dental dam, a cut-open condom or plastic wrap, for oral sex on a female.
Unsafe Activities
It is never a good idea to:
-Have vaginal, oral, or anal sex without using a latex condom.
-Have oral sex on a female without a latex barrier.
-Share needles, syringes, or any kind of sharp object for cutting, tattooing, or piercing.
Remember, preventing HIV takes action and communication. Talk to your partner about HIV and safer sex practices. Love and passion don't protect you. Just knowing and trusting your partner isn't enough. Use a male or female condom or latex barrier for every act of vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse or remain abstinent. Respect yourself enough to protect yourself!
Why Should You Get Tested?
Here are some of the reasons why you should consider getting tested for HIV. If you:
-had sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral, or anal) without a condom
-learned that a partner was not monogamous
-have been sexually assaulted
-had a condom break
-shared needles or syringes to inject drugs (including steroids) or for body piercing, tattooing, or any other reason
-had multiple sexual partners
-found out that a partner has shared needles
-learned that a past or current partner is HIV-positive
-discovered that a partner has been exposed to HIV
-had a recent diagnosis of another sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Where do I Get Tested?
Depending on where you live, you can get tested at any of several places. Testing may be offered at your local:
-STI clinic
-family planning clinic
-community health center
-doctor's office
-hospital
-ask your health care provider or health department
HIV/AIDS Educational Events
March 10, 2009 from 6pm to 8pm: Savannah, GA, May St. YMCA
March 11, 2009 from 5pm to 7pm: Hinesville, GA, Regency Housing
*** Free food will be provided at both events
***Free, confidential HIV testing will be provided for those who are interested
HIV Hotlines
Questions? For more information about HIV and AIDS, you can call the following hotlines. All calls are kept confidential.
National AIDS Hotline--1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week
National AIDS Hotline (TTY Service)--1-800-232-6348
National Information Prevention Network--1-800-458-5231, answered Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST
*For more information about HIV/AIDS or the HIV/AIDS educational events please contact:
Karen A. Terry MPH, CHES
Youth Development Coordinator
Coastal Health District
Phone: 912.414.9851
Email: katerry@dhr.state.ga.us