HIV/STI Outreach
Basic Information
What is HIV?
- HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and is the virus that is transmitted between humans and causes AIDS.
- HIV attacks the body’s immune system. HIV uses and destroys cells-notably T cells also known as CD4 cells) that alert the immune system to defend against an infection attacking the body. HIV uses T cells to create more virus, and then destroys these cells. A lower number of healthy T cells weaken the immune system’s ability to fight infection.
- HIV infection can be prevented.
- HIV is not spread through everyday casual contact.
- People cannot get HIV when they give blood.
- People infected with HIV may look and feel healthy for a long time, can infect others even if they don’t look or feel sick and may have symptoms that are like those of many other illnesses.
What is AIDS?
- AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is the result of HIV infection. HIV and AIDS are not the same. HIV is the virus. AIDS means that HIV has grown and spread, reducing the number of healthy T cells to the point where the body is now open to attack from serious opportunistic infections.
- AIDS is a doctor’s diagnosis. A diagnosis requires that the patient have HIV, 200 or less T-cells and one or more specific opportunistic infections.
HIV Timeline
- A person may be infectious to others as soon as 24 hours after infection.
- Window period: the time from when a person is infected with HIV until they test positive on an HIV antibody test. Detection of HIV antibodies by an HIV test is typically 3 months and can be up to 6 months.
- People can show no symptoms of HIV infection for anywhere from 6 months to 10+ years depending on how quickly HIV depletes the person's immune system.
- Symptomatic period is when the patient begins showing symptoms of HIV but isn't yet diagnosed with AIDS and can last for several years. HIV has weakened the immune system so individuals are more likely to get sick or stay sick.
- AIDS is a doctor’s diagnosis when an individuals T-Cell count is <200 or has one of the specific opportunistic infections.
How is HIV transmitted?
- Body fluids that contain high levels of HIV and can transmit the HIV virus are Blood (contains highest levels), Semen, Vaginal Fluids and Breast Milk.
- The risk of getting HIV from a blood transfusion in the U.S. is extremely low.
- All blood donors are screened for their risk of HIV.
- All donated blood is tested.
- All blood that tests positive for signs of HIV is destroyed.
- HIV is transmitted through unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex in which the above-mentioned body fluids are exchanged.
- By sharing needles, syringes, cotton balls, tourniquet, water or any other works used for injecting drugs, steroids etc. with an infected person.
- During pregnancy, birth or breast-feeding from an infected mother to her baby.
- Three conditions must be met for HIV to occur:
- Virus must be present in 1 person (it does not generate spontaneously)
- There must be enough virus (see body fluids that contain high amounts of HIV)
- Virus must get into bloodstream
Is the blood supply safe?
How is HIV NOT Transmitted?
- Body fluids that are not infectious and pose no known risk of HIV infection include saliva, tears, urine, feces and sweat.
- HIV Is NOT spread through everyday casual contact. Casual contact includes most of the contact that we have with most people everyday like: sharing glasses or silverware, giving hugs or kisses, giving massages, shaking hands, bathing with others, using someone else’s toilet, using water fountains or playing team sports.
- HIV is not transmitted by mosquitoes. It is a human virus.
How can HIV be prevented?
- People can choose not to use drugs.
- People can choose not to have sex- abstinence.
- Being in a monogamous relationship, which means only having sex with one partner.
- People can choose to postpone sex.
- Postponing sex is different for every person and may mean waiting until they are older, waiting until marriage, waiting until they know the person better, waiting until both partners have been tested, or practice…
- If people choose to have sex, they can greatly reduce their risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases by using protective barriers the right way every time with latex or polyurethane (not lambskin) condoms, female condoms, dental dams or gloves. Latex condoms, if used correctly, are proven to be 97-100% effective. Do not use condoms that contain Non-oxaynol nine.
- Sex toys such as dildos should be washed with soap and water both before and after they are inserted into another person’s body.
- Cover open cuts or sores with Band-Aids.
- Reduce the number of sexual partners.
- Be physically intimate without exchanging body fluids such as kissing, massage, masturbation, phone sex and snuggling.
- If people inject drugs; they can prevent HIV infection by:
- using new sterile equipment every time
- not sharing needles, syringes or other “works”
- Cleaning needles with bleach and water (may not be effective in stopping the transmission of Hepatitis C)
- Contact your local Harm Reduction Project for safer drug use practices, educational materials and groups at www.harmredux.org.
- Drinking alcohol or using drugs may increase individuals risks related to HIV. When judgment and inhibitions are lowered people may have sex without using a condom, may have sex with someone that they otherwise wouldn’t, or may try injection drugs or share needles.
- If seeking drug treatment programs please contact your doctor
or call the Salt Lake County Division of Substance Abuse.
Mother-to-Child Prevention
- If you are considering becoming pregnant or are pregnant, it is recommended that you ask your doctor for an HIV test. This is not a routine test and you must sign a form giving permission for the test. If you are HIV+ and pregnant, there are drug therapies that can greatly reduce the transmission of HIV to your baby.
- Good prenatal care and HIV treatment can help prevent the spread of HIV from mother to child.
- Breast-feeding is not recommended for mothers with HIV.
Safer Sex
Safer Needle Use
Treatment Options
- HIV cannot be cured. However, effective HIV treatments can slow the growth and spread of the virus and its damaging effects on the immune system.
- Doctor’s use blood tests from an infected person to determine viral load and CD4 (or T cell) count. These are factors in determining treatment.
- Viral load shows how much HIV is in the body
- CD4 count shows the number of healthy T cells
- Decision of when to begin treatment is ultimately determined on an individual basis.
- Patient lifestyle plays role in decision
- Frank, open doctor-patient relationship is important; informed decisions are the best decisions.
Antiretroviral Drugs
HIV is a type of virus known as a retrovirus. Drugs used to treat HIV infection are know as antiretroviral drugs. These drugs attack the HIV virus and help reduce viral load, allowing the immune system to function more properly. There are 3 different classes of antiretroviral drugs available to treat HIV.Combination Antiretroviral Therapy
Treatment plans combining 3 or more antiretroviral drugs have been very effective in managing HIV and slowing down progression to full-blown AIDS. Once HIV infects a human T cell, it attaches to and used that cell to make copies of itself before destroying it and moving on to other cells. Treatment using the 3 classes of antiretroviral drugs targets HIV at different stages of the HIV life cycle. While effective, these drugs can cause side effects, most of which pass within the first 6 weeks of treatment. If side effects occur, it’s important for the patient to report them to his/her physician.Drug Resistance
The HIV virus can change itself, or mutate. Some of these changes can enable the virus to overcome the effects of a particular HIV treatment. The virus is considered to be resistant to that medication. It is important for the patient and healthcare provider to monitor drug resistance of HIV through routine viral load testing.Adherence
- Taking treatment exactly as prescribed (adherence) is essential to effective control of HIV.
- It is dangerous for HIV patients to stop or interrupt their treatment for any reason without first speaking to their physician.
- Adherence has been made easier with simplified dosing regimens.
Pregnancy and HIV
- Pregnant women with HIV are encouraged to seek good prenatal care as well as good follow-up care for their babies.
- Extent of disease and immune system status, as well as other clinical considerations, guide HIV treatment decisions in pregnancy.
- HIV treatment can decrease risk of mother-to-baby transmission.
Treating Opportunistic Infections
- Opportunistic infections attack the body when HIV has significantly weakened the immune system.
- Medications are available to treat and help prevent opportunistic infections in people with HIV/AIDS.
How can I find out if I have HIV?
- Only a test can show if someone is infected with HIV.
- People who think they are at risk for HIV infection are encouraged to seek individual testing and counseling.
- Do not donate blood to get tested for HIV.
Where can I get tested?
There are several permanent and alternative testing sites around Utah. Click here for a complete list of test sites (PDF document). For information on Testing at the SLVH, click here: http://www.slvhealth.org/fh/html/std.html