FREE HIV testing and counseling is available at the Health Resource Center.
H = Human (only infects humans)
I = Immunodeficiency (causes the immune system to collapse)
V = Virus (a germ that gets into the body and has no cure)
The HIV virus can enter the body through the lining of the vagina, vulva, penis, rectum or mouth during unprotected sex. HIV is not a disease that selects certain individuals with certain characteristics, but it is a disease whose victims are those that engage in particular behaviors.
A = Acquired (not genetic, passed from one person to another)
I = Immune (affects the immune system)
D = Deficiency (the body is not able to protect itself from infection)
S = Syndrome (a collection of different symptoms or diseases)
HIV is transmitted by four body fluids:
To decrease transmission, keep these fluids away from:
Transmission can only occur by having direct contact with one or more of these fluids in such a way that causes them to enter directly into your bloodstream. Anytime you have direct contact with these risk fluids, you may have been "exposed" to HIV.
Source: "Living With HIV/AIDS," Brochure, Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 1998.
Sources: Johns Hopkins Health Information/Center for Disease Control and Prevention
About half of the people with HIV develop AIDS within ten years, but the time between infection with HIV and the onset of AIDS can vary greatly from individual to individual. This is why people who could have been exposed should get tested.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the following are questions some people might be asking themselves about HIV-antibody counseling and testing.
Although there is no cure, there are clear benefits to early treatment. People who are diagnosed positive can receive effective treatment sooner, which can improve and extend their life. Unfortunately, many people do not realize they are infected until they develop symptoms and treatment options are limited. HIV transmission is reduced because most people who are diagnosed positive adopt safer sex practices. Also, stigma that surrounds HIV testing based on risk wil be reduced.
Yes. If you were infected, it may take your body two weeks or up to six months to make enough antibodies for the test to detect infection. You should continue counseling and testing until your counselor deems it unnecessary.
It really depends. Some facilities schedule appointments very quickly, and others take a few weeks.
Most publicly funded sites are free or require only a minimum fee. If you go to your doctor for counseling and testing, the cost can vary, ask the cost beforehand.
If you or your sex / drug partner have engaged in behaviors that can transmit HIV, you should get counseling and testing. If you test positive and are not treated, there is a one-in-four chance that you will pass the virus to your unborn baby. With medical treatment, you decrease your chance to about one-in-twelve. If you are already pregnant, you should tell your health care provider that you tested positive. This will help your provider care for you and your baby during and after the pregnancy.
The U.S. Public Health Service does not record or collect names of people who test positive. The state health departments that do collect names treat this information as highly confidential. Call your state or local health department to find out the laws in your state. California does report names of those who test HIV positive. This is called name-based reporting and was recently adopted in April of 2006. Changing to this reporting method will enhance our ability to track the number of cases in the state and to increase funding sources for those living with HIV/AIDS who require assistance.
The only way to know whether you are infected is to have your own test.
Yes, you can continue working because HIV cannot be spread by contact that does not involve blood, semen, or vaginal secretions. Many years after infection, some people still have no symptoms and continue to work productively. In the later stages of HIV infection, illness may cause you to be too sick to work. It depends on your health and your job duties.
Call your local medical society. They should be able to refer you to a doctor who will help you. For additional help, you can contact a local AIDS organization and they can help you find a doctor who is experienced with HIV and AIDS-related issues.
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
Hotline: 24 hours/7 days a week
1-800-CDC-INFO
Spanish – (800) 344-7432
Hearing-Impaired Access – (800) 232-6348 (TTY)
