HIV, AIDS and Positive living

BASIC INFORMATION ON HIV & AIDS

 HIV
HIV, which stands for human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV destroys a certain type of blood cell (known as T-cells or CD4 cells) that help the body fight off infection. The HIV virus lives in the body and gradually destroys body deficiency system; a damaged immune system makes a person more likely to get infection and other illness.

AIDS
AIDS is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, an advanced stage of HIV infection that occurs when the immune system cannot fight off infections that the body is normally able to withstand. At this stage, the infected person becomes more susceptible to a variety of infections, known as opportunistic infections.

HOW IS HIV SPREAD?
There is still misunderstanding about how HIV is transmitted from one person to another. Knowing the basics helps you avoid getting the virus if you are HIV-, and avoid passing it on if you are HIV+.

HIV is spread through the following body fluids:
• Blood (including menstrual blood)
• Semen and other male sexual fluids (”pre-cum”)
• Vaginal fluids
• Breast milk

HIV is not spread through these body fluids:
• Sweat
• Tears
• Saliva (spit)

The spread of HIV can be prevented! There are ways to avoid, or at least, reduce contact with the bodily fluids that spread HIV (blood, sexual fluids, and breast milk). This info sheet will explain how.

METHODS OF TRANSMISSION
In the past, HIV was spread in blood products, such as whole blood or the “factor” used by hemophiliacs. Many people were infected this way. The blood supply is now much more strictly tested and controlled. The odds of being infected from receiving blood or factor in the U.S. are extremely low.
You cannot get HIV from donating blood – a new clean needle is used for each donation.
Some people, primarily healthcare workers, are occasionally infected through needle sticks with infected blood, or through other medical accidents. This is a very tiny percentage of overall infect
Today, the most common ways HIV is passed from one person to another are:
Re-using and sharing needles
Unprotected/unsafe sex (no condoms or other barrier devices)

SHARING NEEDLES
Many HIV infections occur when people share needles to inject heroin, methamphetamine, or other drugs. This risk can be greatly reduced by cleaning needles with a bleach solution before re-using them. The risk can be eliminated by using fresh needles each time. Many cities now offer free needle exchange programs. When getting a tattoo or body piercing, always go to a licensed professional and make sure the equipment is autoclaved, not just “sterilized” with alcohol.

UN-PROTECTED/UNSAFE SEX
Every sexual act that involves sexual fluids of some kind has at least some risk. Barriers, such as condoms (male and female), dental dams, latex gloves, and even plastic food wrap (such as Saran Wrap), help reduce risk substantially. Unsafe sex (sex without condoms or barriers) puts you and your partner at risk for HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Safer sex (sex using condoms or other barriers correctly and consistently) protects you and your partner. Which common sexual activities are most likely to cause HIV transmission when safer sex isn’t used? (Listed from most to least risky.) Receptive anal sex (”bottoming”) remains the most risky activity, due to the likelihood of direct semen-blood

contact. But penetrative anal sex (”topping”) with someone can result in HIV transmission, too. Vaginal intercourse puts both partners at risk, but HIV is transmitted from men to women much more easily than from women to men. Oral sex can be risky for the person performing it, particularly if he or she swallows semen, vaginal fluids, or menstrual fluids.
Sharing sex toys without sterilizing them can be dangerous. Rimming (licking the anus) is very unlikely to result in HIV infection. Mutual masturbation (hand jobs) and fisting (using a hand to penetrate the anus or vagina) are relatively risk-free, as long as your hand has no open cuts or sores. Sexual assault can result in infection if the assailant is HIV+. The risk increases when rape involves anal penetration, force, and/or multiple assailants. Some forced sexual acts involving wounds can place a victim at very high risk. In major cities, PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is often offered to victims of sexual assault. This month-long treatment reduces the likelihood of HIV infection substantially. It is currently only used on a regular basis for victims of sexual assault and for healthcare workers who have been exposed to HIV on the job. PEP must be started as quickly as possible, always within 72 hours of the exposure.

MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION
HIV+ mothers can pass the virus to their babies while pregnant, during birth, or by breastfeeding. New medical techniques have almost eliminated the risk of a baby getting HIV from its mother when precautions are taken. HIV+ mothers should not breastfeed their babies.

HOW HIV LEADS TO AIDS?
Some people develop AIDS a few years after becoming infected with HIV. Some people can be infected with HIV for ten years or longer without developing AIDS. However most people will not know when they infected. They will only realize they are infected when they become sick. It is believed that everyone who has HIV will eventually go on to develop AIDS. If you take care of your health, you have a greater change of having longer after you have developed AIDS.

Stigma And Discrimination
Stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS are one of the greatest barriers to preventing further infections, providing adequate care, support and treatment, and alleviating the impact of HIV/AIDS. Stigma and discrimination are triggered by many factors, including lack of understanding of the disease, myths about how HIV is transmitted, prejudice, lack of treatment and social fears. Stigma and discrimination can deter people from getting tested, contribute to them infecting others and prevent people who are infected from receiving adequate care and treatment.

Wider access to VCT can lead to greater openness about HIV/AIDS and less stigma and discrimination. Seeing other people speaking out about their infection status can then encourage other people to come forward for testing. If people get tested and speak out when they are not seriously ill, this can change the image of HIV/AIDS from illness, suffering and death to living positively with HIV. If this is to happen, it is essential that people who speak out be provided with adequate support. There are some examples where adequate support has not been provided and people speaking out have faced verbal and physical abuse.

The involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS in activities for reducing stigma and discrimination is essential. Having people speak openly about their HIV status is one of the first steps to be taken in tackling stigma and discrimination. This can make people realise that HIV is part of their community and not just ’someone else’s problem’. In addition, the role of people who are HIV negative should not be underestimated. HIV negative people who speak out about HIV/AIDS can help to promote wider support for those who are infected.

There is no single answer to the problem of stigma and discrimination but there are many things that can be done to help. No policy or law will be effective by itself. The fear and prejudice that lies at the core of the HIV/AIDS discrimination needs to be tackled at the community and national levels. A more enabling environment needs to be created to increase the visibility of people with HIV/AIDS as a ‘normal’ part of any society.