HIV/AIDS
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| Q. |
What is HIV?
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| A. |
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus which causes AIDS. It is neither food-borne nor airborne and does not live long outside the body. About half of the individuals who are infected with HIV will develop AIDS as a result.
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| Q. |
What is AIDS?
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| A. |
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The immune system of a person infected with AIDS is no longer functioning normally. This leaves the body unable to fight off infections.
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| Q. |
What does HIV do?
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| A. |
HIV infection weakens the body's immune system to the point that it has difficulty fighting off certain infections which a normal immune system could control.
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| Q. |
Where did HIV come from?
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| A. |
This is unknown. The HIV virus has been identified in a blood sample taken from a man in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1959. The virus has been in the United States from at least the middle to late 1970's.
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| Q. |
How is HIV spread?
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| A. |
The virus is carried from one person to another during sexual contact or blood-to-blood contact. It is possible for drug users to become infected by sharing needles. HIV is present in several body fluids:
- blood
- semen
- vaginal fluid
- breast milk
- any other body fluid containing blood An infant may be infected before birth, during birth or by breast feeding.
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| Q. |
Can I contract HIV from shaking hands, using the same drinking glass, from a toilet seat, the bite of a mosquito or infected persons who cough and sneeze?
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| A. |
None of the above will cause HIV infection. However, improperly sterilized instruments used in tattooing or body piercing can spread the infection.
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| Q. |
Is it possible to contract HIV in a doctor's or dentist's office?
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| A. |
Infection with HIV in these settings is extremely rare. Health care professionals take careful precautions to protect their patients and themselves from infection.
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| Q. |
How can I tell if I am infected with HIV?
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| A. |
The only way is to be tested for HIV. Symptoms are an unreliable criterion as many people who are infected have no symptoms for many years.
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| Q. |
Where can I be tested for HIV?
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| A. |
There are several possible testing sites:
- a physicianþs office
- a local health department
- a hospital
- testing sites set up specifically to test for HIV Try to select a site where counseling is available.
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| Q. |
What should I do if I test positive for HIV?
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| A. |
You should take immediate steps to protect your health, there are many drugs available to treat HIV and delay the onset of AIDS.
- Find a physician with experience in treating HIV.
- Find a program to help you curtail the use of the following:
- Cigarettes
- Alcohol
- Illegal drugs
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| Q. |
Will HIV cause AIDS?
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| A. |
It is estimated that approximately 50% of people with HIV will develop AIDS within 10 years of being infected. The length of time depends on the patient's state of health and his/her level of preventative health care.
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| Q. |
Are there any treatments for HIV?
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| A. |
There are treatments which slow down the rate at which the immune system is weakened by HIV and others which prevent or cure some of the illnesses associated with AIDS, although they are not able to cure AIDS itself.
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| Q. |
Where can I find treatment for HIV?
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| A. |
Consult with your physician, ask him or her to recommend a physician who specializes in the treatment of HIV-AIDS.
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| Q. |
Is there a vaccine available to prevent HIV?
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| A. |
Not yet, work is proceeding but the nature of the infection is making development difficult.
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The summary information contained in this document is for informational purposes only. This summary may not contain all the information you should know about the medical conditions, medications, products or treatments described. DO NOT USE THIS INFORMATION TO DIAGNOSE A HEALTH PROBLEM OR PRESCRIBE A MEDICATION. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR UNCERTAINTIES, OR NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN AND MEDICAL ADVISORS.
Copyright 2001, PrimeCare Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Last Updated MARCH 2001
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