HIV/AIDS
You may have read about HIV/AIDS but you still may be thinking that only drug users or people who sleep around can get HIV and AIDS— not true. As the saying goes, “HIV does not discriminate.” Anyone, no matter where you live, if you’re a guy or girl, straight or gay, young or old, black, white, Hispanic or any other race, can get HIV/AIDS. In fact, in 2007 about 2.5 million kids and teens under 15 years old were reported to be living with HIV. Read on to learn more and find out how you can protect yourself.
Click on a question to see an answer about HIV/AIDS.
What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?
What should I do if I think I have HIV or AIDS?
How long does it take for HIV to develop into AIDS?
What are HIV and AIDS?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The virus attacks a person’s immune system, especially the white blood cells (also called “T-cells”). The immune system is the body’s way of fighting off infections. If somebody is infected with HIV, his/her immune system gets weaker and the body can’t fight against infections as well. This means that a person can become sick more easily. If people with HIV do not take medications or good care of themselves, HIV gets stronger and their immune system gets weaker.
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. When a person with HIV gets more serious infections because of a weak immune system, they are said to have AIDS. People with AIDS can get sick from diseases that do not usually affect people with a strong immune system. One of these diseases is Kaposi Sarcoma (KS), a rare type of skin cancer. Another is a type of pneumonia called Pneumcystis Carinii Pneumonia (PCP). Almost any symptom can occur when you have AIDS. It is important to know that not all people with HIV get AIDS.
Who gets HIV/AIDS?
All people who put themselves at risk for HIV can get it. The mains ways of getting HIV are by having unprotected sex or by sharing needles and syringes with a person who has HIV. Also, babies can be born with the virus if their mother is infected. In the past, people could get HIV from an infected blood transfusion, but today the risk for this is very, very low since all donated blood is tested for the HIV virus.
How is HIV spread?
For HIV to spread from an infected person to another person two things are needed: 1) an infected bodily fluid and 2) a way into the other person’s bloodstream.
There are four bodily fluids that can transmit HIV:
There are a few key ways that HIV can get into another person’s bloodstream to cause infection:
HIV can be spread through vaginal, oral, and anal sex. It can also be spread through sharing needles or syringes with an infected person. HIV can also be passed from an infected pregnant woman to her baby before or during birth and during breast-feeding.
HIV is not spread through touching, hugging, or shaking hands with an infected person. Coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing glasses and dishes, touching toilets or doorknobs, do not spread it. It is not spread through saliva. Pets and biting insects, like mosquitoes, do not spread the virus. Donating blood does not spread HIV either. This is because a new needle is used for each donor, so you never come in contact with another person's blood.
What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?
Some people get an illness within 6 weeks of HIV infection with the following symptoms:
However, most people with HIV do not get symptoms for years.
When people with HIV get a serious disease or infection, they are said to have AIDS. People with AIDS can have any of the following:
What should I do if I think I have HIV or AIDS?
If you think you may have gotten HIV/AIDS, or if you have symptoms, get tested and/or see your health care provider right away. The earlier you get tested and treated, the better. Getting treatment can slow down the progress of the HIV infection and may even prevent you from getting AIDS. Knowing your HIV status will also help you make decisions about protecting yourself and others.
How is HIV diagnosed?
Most people get tested for HIV with a simple blood test, an oral swab test, or a finger-stick test. HIV tests look for HIV antibodies. The body reacts to the HIV virus by making antibodies within 2-8 weeks after exposure. An HIV test shows if a person has these antibodies in the blood. If the test is positive, then the HIV virus is in that person’s body. If somebody is tested too soon after being exposed to HIV, it is possible that he/she can get a negative result but still have the HIV virus. HIV antibodies can take 12 weeks or longer to show up. A follow-up test may be needed to confirm a negative result. A follow-up test is always needed to confirm a positive or reactive result. It is important to know that a “reactive” or a “positive” test result is not a diagnosis. Only a doctor can diagnose HIV.
What about sex partners?
If you have been exposed to HIV, then you need to tell all sex partners or anyone you have shared needles or syringes with that they may have been exposed. Try to tell them to get tested. If you feel that you can't tell these people, then talk to your health care provider. They have ways to let people know they may have been exposed without saying who gave them the information.
How is HIV/AIDS treated?
Right now, there is no cure for HIV infection or AIDS. It is a chronic illness. The virus stays in your body for the rest of your life. There are many drugs that have been created which help treat and manage HIV/AIDS, but do not cure it. Your health care provider may also suggest other treatments to slow the progress of HIV, such as a healthy diet, exercise, and stress reduction.
How long does it take for HIV to develop into AIDS?
People with HIV can usually remain very healthy for many years after they have been infected. The virus slowly attacks the immune system, and can take a while to develop into AIDS. However, taking HIV medications, avoiding infections, treating infections early, getting enough exercise, eating a healthy diet, and living a healthy lifestyle all lower the chances of HIV developing into AIDS.
30% of people with HIV develop AIDS within 5 years. This means that they get a serious disease, such as cancer or pneumonia, within 5 years. Some people just develop mild symptoms, such as swollen glands, diarrhea, fever, and weight loss within these 5 years. About 50% of people with HIV develop AIDS within 10 years of getting HIV.
It is very important to know that a person with HIV can stay healthier longer with treatment and proper medical care.
How can I avoid getting HIV?
The best way to avoid getting HIV is to not have sex and to avoid sharing needles. If you do decide to have sex, you should practice safe sex. There are lots of ways to make sex safer:
Using condoms and dental dams when having sex dramatically lowers your risk of getting HIV.
Make sure that both you and your partner get tested before you have sex.
Finally, you shouldn't share personal items such as razors and toothbrushes with an infected person, since they could have blood on them.
Updated: 2/2/2009
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