HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is thought to be caused by HIV. HIV destroys the body's immune system, leaving the person unable to fight certain types of infection or cancer. The virus also attacks the central nervous system, causing mental and neurological problems.
The virus is carried in body fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, and blood (including menstrual blood).
Certain activities are likely to promote contracting HIV. High-risk activities
include:
Unprotected* anal, oral and/or
vaginal sex except in a monogamous relationship in which neither partner is infected with
HIV. Particularly high-risk situations are having sex:
When drunk or high
With multiple or casual sex partners
With a partner who has had multiple or casual sex partners
With a partner who has used drugs by injection or is bisexual
When you or your partner have signs and symptoms of a genital tract infection
*"Unprotected" means without using condoms alone or with other latex or polyurethane barriers. When used correctly every time and for every sex act, these provide protection from HIV. Though not 100% effective, they will reduce the risk. Male latex condoms are preferred. The Reality female condom may also offer protection.
Sharing needles and/or "the
works" when injecting any kind of drugs
Pregnancy and delivery if the mother is
infected with HIV. This can put the child at risk. (The use of the drug AZT can lower this
risk a great deal. See Treatment and Care in this
section.)
Having had blood transfusions, especially
before 1985, unless you have tested negative for HIV
There is some concern about the risk of getting HIV from an infected doctor, dentist, or patient. There are almost no cases of health workers passing HIV to a patient. Patient-to-health-workers transmission has been more noted. Measures are required by medical and dental associations to decrease these possible risks. The risks are extremely low, though.
Blood-screening tests are also done on donated blood. This makes it highly unlikely
that you'd get HIV from current blood transfusions. You cannot get HIV from:
Donating blood
Casual contact such as touching, holding
hands, or hugging
A cough, sneeze, tears, or sweat
An animal or insect bite
A toilet seat
Using a hot tub or swimming
You can get screening tests for HIV at doctors' offices, clinics, and health departments. A small sample of your blood is tested for HIV antibodies. If these antibodies are present, you test positive for and are considered infected with HIV. It could take as long as 6 months from exposure to the virus for these antibodies to show up. The most common reason for a false negative test is when a person gets tested before HIV antibodies have formed. If you test positive for HIV, a second type of blood test is done to confirm it. HIV/AIDS symptoms may not show up for as long a 8 to 11 years after a person is infected with the virus.
You can also use a home collection test and counseling service called Home Access. Look for this test kit in drug stores, national retail stores, public health clinics and on college campuses. You can also buy a Home Access test kit by phone. Call: 1-800-HIV-TEST (448-8378). Follow the product's instructions. With the product, you get information on HIV, anonymous counseling services by phone, and test materials to find out your HIV status. Test materials include a lancet to get a few drops of blood from a fingertip; a card or special paper to put the blood sample on; and mailing materials to send the test back to the company. The sample is identified by number, not by name. You call the kit's 800 number for test results. This means the results are kept anonymous and confidential.
Signs and Symptoms
Early symptoms of HIV/AIDS:
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Chronic diarrhea
Weight loss
Persistent dry cough
Fever
Night sweats
Swollen lymph nodes
Persons with AIDS fall prey to many diseases such as skin infections, fungal infections, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and cancer. These "opportunistic" infections are what lead to death in an AIDS victim. When HIV invades the brain cells, it leads to forgetfulness, impaired speech, trembling, and seizures.
Prevention
Someday a cure for AIDS may exist. For now, prevention is the only
protection. Take these steps to avoid contracting HIV:
Unless you are in a long-term, monogamous
relationship, use male latex condoms every time you have sex. The spermicide, Nonoxynol-9
may inactivate HIV. But this was only shown in laboratory studies, not in studies on
humans. Using a latex condom is most important. Don't use Nonoxynol-9 spermicide alone.
Don't have sex with people who are at high
risk for contracting HIV. These have been noted to be:
Homosexual or bisexual persons, especially with multiple sex partners or who inject
illegal drugs
Heterosexual partners of persons infected or exposed to HIV
Persons who have had multiple blood transfusions, especially before 1985, unless tested
negative for HIV
Don't have sex with more than one person.
Ask specific questions about your partner's
sexual past, i.e., have they had many partners or unprotected (no condom) sex? Do not be
afraid to ask if they have been tested for HIV and if the results were positive or
negative.
Don't have sex with anyone who you know or
suspect has had multiple partners. (If you've had sex with someone you suspect is
HIV-positive, see your doctor).
Don't share needles and/or "the
works" with anyone. This includes not only illegal drugs such as heroin but steroids,
insulin, etc. Don't have sex with people who use or have used injected illegal drugs.
Don't share personal items that have blood
on them, such as razors.
Treatment and Care
Current treatment for AIDS include:
Medications. Older drugs are AZT,
DDI, DDC, D4T, and 3TC with AZT. These slow the virus but do not destroy it. A newer class
of medicines called protease inhibitors may help keep the AIDS virus from growing. The
newer drugs are now given with older ones in combinations called "cocktails". {Note:
The medicine AZT has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of a pregnant woman passing HIV
to her unborn baby. AZT is given to the mother at certain times during pregnancy and
delivery. It is also given to the baby after it is born.}
Taking measures to reduce the risk of
getting infections and diseases. Get adequate rest, proper nutrition, and take vitamin
supplements as suggested by your doctor.
Emotional support
Treating infections. For example, giving
antibiotics such as Bactrim or Septra for pneumonia
Radiation therapy and surgery have been
used in the treatment of some patients.
AIDS is under intensive study and research. Better forms of treatment are being researched worldwide. One example for women is vaginal foams, gels, or creams that have a chemical that could kill HIV on contact.
(See "Places to Get Information & Help" under AIDS.)
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 04/21/99