AIDS/HIV

What Is Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and HIV Infection?

FACT: Over 50 percent of new HIV infections occur among people under age 25.

Between 40,000 and 50,000 Americans become infected with HIV every year. Half of them are between the ages of 13 and 24. That means at least two teenagers and young adults in this country are infected with HIV every hour of every day.

AIDS is a deficiency of the immune system's ability to fight a variety of infections and cancers. AIDS is the final (and fatal) stage that results from the infection of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is the most dangerous of all sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) because there is still no cure or vaccine. New treatments have been developed to slow down the effects of the virus and people with AIDS are living longer than ever before, but it is still very deadly. Once you have the virus, you have it forever. Anyone is at risk for AIDS regardless of whether they are gay or straight. Initially AIDS was found mainly among gay men. But that group's infection rate has decreased through education and "safe sex." Now the number of cases being reported at high rates is among heterosexual young adults and teenagers.

Recent studies show that 26 percent of sexually active teenagers think it's impossible to get HIV through oral sex, and 15 percent more don't know whether people can contract HIV this way. The truth: it is possible. (Source: CDC)

"Safe Sex" = using latex condoms with every act of sex.

Use plastic food wrap, a latex condom cut open, or a dental dam when performing oral-vaginal sex (cunnilingus) or oral-anal sex (anilingus) (source: CDC), and a latex condom every time you perform oral-penile sex (fellatio). Use a condom every time you have anal sex.

These methods provide a physical barrier to HIV transmission and will also help keep you safe from other STDs, many of which can increase your risk of contracting HIV or giving it to someone else.


Incubation Period
Variable. About 1 to 6 months from the time of infection to the time of detectable antibodies in the blood. The time from HIV infection to the diagnosis of AIDS has been noted to be anywhere from 2 months to 10 years or longer. So, even if you tested negative last week, that still means you might be positive in 4 months or so. Testing is IMPORTANT, so get tested, but still use "safe sex."

Transmission
HIV is passed through blood and bodily fluids. Mainly semen, blood and vaginal secretions, but also breast milk.

Infection can happen in 5 ways:

Sexual intercourse with an infected person.

Anal intercourse with an infected person.

Sharing needles and other paraphernalia for injecting drugs with an infected person (this includes using steroids and "skin popping" drugs).

Infected blood or blood products given by blood transfusions or other medical treatments. (This is very rare in the U.S. and Canada as all blood is screened for the HIV infection.)

Giving birth (if YOU are infected with HIV). About 1 in 4 HIV-positive mothers will infect their babies either during birth, while pregnant (the virus crosses the placenta to the fetus), or by breastfeeding. There are drugs to reduce the risk of transmission, though, so getting tested and being safe while pregnant is extremely important.

It can take 10 years (or more) for the HIV virus to develop into full-blown AIDS. Once you are infected you will eventually develop AIDS, even though new drugs can slow down this process. Eventually the breakdown of the immune system will occur and the person becomes fatally vulnerable to diseases that healthy people rarely die from. Even the flu can kill a person with AIDS.


Getting Tested for AIDS

The AIDS virus can be detected by a blood test. The test is totally confidential. You are often assigned a number when tested and no name is used, and you can get tested without parental consent. The blood test is often inexpensive at clinics or at a local health department. Your private health care provider can also test you. It’s important to get tested at a place that provides counseling, because counselors can help you understand what your test results mean, answer questions about how to protect yourself and others, and refer you to local HIV-related resources.

If you are sexually active, get tested. You will feel great when you find out you are negative. Then stay that way by using condoms.

If you are not sexually active and don't inject drugs, you don't need to worry about contracting HIV. If you ARE sexually active: PROTECT YOURSELF!

Four ways to NOT get AIDS:

NEVER have sex without a latex condom and spermicide. Every time!

If you have an open cut inside your mouth, DO NOT have oral sex with anyone. Condoms should be used for oral sex (there are flavored ones). Use a condom with every act of anal sex.

If you are a drug-user who uses needles, NEVER share needles with anyone.

If you decide to get a tattoo or body piercing, make sure it is done with sterile equipment and by a reputable person.



You Should Know...

You cannot get AIDS from kissing, hugging or holding hands.

AIDS is NOT spread from sneezing, coughing or toilet seats.

You can't catch AIDS from sitting near, being friends with or talking to someone who has it.

Mosquitoes, fleas and other bugs DO NOT transmit the AIDS virus.

You cannot get AIDS from donating blood.


HIV is scary stuff, and this is not meant to scare you. It's meant to inform you. There is still no cure and no vaccine to prevent AIDS. Thankfully, the virus that causes AIDS isn't easy to pass from one person to another. If you know someone who has AIDS you should not be afraid of friendly contact with them.

Remember, one in 250 Americans is HIV positive; only one in 500 knows it.

If you think you are at risk, get tested.

If you have tested positive for HIV read this...


More Articles:

HIV and Women - For All Women

Cases of AIDS in the USA

Food Safety for People Living with AIDS

HIV Rapid Testing

HIV Home Test

Insects and HIV Transmission

HIV and Bodily Fluids

Oral Sex and HIV Safety

Anal Sex and HIV Safety

HAART - Explanation of HAART

HIV Positive - What Does this Mean?

What Every Teen Needs To Know About HIV And AIDS.


AIDS Links and Resources:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a 24-hour toll-free hotline to answer questions about HIV testing and refer you to testing sites in your area. The numbers are:

1-800-342-2437 (English)
1-800-344-7432 (Spanish)
1-800-243-7889 (TTY/deaf access)

National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project

amFar AIDS Research (American Foundation for AIDS Research)
The nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of AIDS research and education, support and advocacy.